Table 2.
Most reported reasons for non-adherence (barriers to adherence). 1: also includes forgetfulness due to events that disrupt the routine of taking medicine as prescribed (i.e., being away for long time, having someone at home, being at restaurant, travelling). 2: problems in following the treatment plan, ignorance of life-long drug adherence, non-awareness of the chronic nature of diabetes, dislike of the taste of the medication, difficulty in swallowing due to the size of medication.
| Reasons for Non-Adherence | Number of Studies |
|---|---|
| Forgetfulness 1 | 28 |
| Experiencing of side effects | 15 |
| High costs | 12 |
| Absence/disappearance of symptoms | 9 |
| Carelessness | 8 |
| Multiple medications | 6 |
| Procrastinating on refills or renewals of prescriptions | 6 |
| Feeling hassled or bored to take medication regularly | 5 |
| Worry about using medication regularly due to possible risk of unintended effects | 5 |
| Not accepting disease/feeling disease under control | 4 |
| Lack of confidence or poor communication with the physician/healthcare provider | 4 |
| Being too busy/time constraints | 4 |
| Social influence and environmental context | 3 |
| Complexity of treatment regimen | 2 |
| Inefficacy | 2 |
| Preference for herbal remedies | 2 |
| Others 2 | 5 |