The non-insulin-dependent diabetic: success and failure in compliance

Failure to comply with medical regimes is endemic and is extremely costly both in economic and wellness terms. Adherence failure is explored in this study of 95 non-insulin-dependent-diabetics (NIDDM) subjects. Results indicate that the factors governing failure to adhere are not necessarily the obverse of psychosocial factors correlated with successful adherence to medical regimes. Success in complying to wellness behaviours was a function of positive attitudes and an acceptance of the challenges of the illness, the capacity to utilise family support, and not having negative self esteem. Failure to comply was a function of a syndrome of stress, chronic and transient mental distress. Common to both success and failure in complying were attitudes to health professionals, extent of knowledge about the disease and perceptions of the success or otherwise in overcoming inconvenience and barriers which might impede compliance.