Factors associated with non-adherence to insulin in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Western region of Algeria, Tlemcen: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: adherence to drugs is critical for achieving the best clinical results in the treatment of chronic diseases. Adherence to chronic drugs might be influenced by beliefs about medications and other variables. The goal of this study was to assess relevant determinants of medication adherence in Algerian population with insulin-dependent diabetes. Methods: from July 1st 2019 to February 29th 2020, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants who had been on insulin for at least 6 months were recruited from Tlemcen (Algeria) clinics in secondary care settings. Patients were invited to a face-to-face interview, in order to complete out the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS) tools to report their attitudes towards medication adherence and views about their insulin. The recruited patients' socio-demographic data was also collected. The related determinants of chronic drug non-adherence in the tested population were identified using a stepwise binary logistical regression model. Results: in this study, 147 patients out of 400 were not adhering to their insulin therapy (36.5%). Insulin non-adherence was linked to single status (AOR=2.088, CI=1.180-3.694), non-insurance (AOR=2.949, CI=1.323-6.572), number of daily insulin injections (AOR=1.269, CI=1.033-1.559), unawareness of the insulin regimen (AOR=3.528, CI=1.453-8.565), hypertension (AOR= 3.497, CI=1.98-6.154) and the non-practice of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (AOR=2.635, CI=1.472-4.718). Conclusion: insulin adherence in Algerians is still well below international standards. This study improved the understanding of the factors affecting the non-adherence to insulin among diabetics and may be used as a baseline to target; throughout educational programs; the sub-populations identified as non-adherents.

Insulin injection technique in the western region of Algeria, Tlemcen.

INTRODUCTION: Algeria has more than 1.7 million diabetic patients on to whom a descriptive assessment particularly on the insulin usage behaviors has not yet been initiated, although is needed. This study aims to provide a descriptive analysis of how Algerian diabetic patients perceive and apply insulin injection techniques. METHODS: using the "patient" questionnaire within the Injection Technique Questionnaire (ITQ) 2016 survey, this study assessed the insulin injection practices of 100 patients recruited over a seven-month period in western Algeria at the Tlemcen University Hospital Center. The results of this study are compared to those of the ITQ 2016 survey. RESULTS: pens are the instruments of injection for 98% of Algerians who continue to use mostly long needles of 6- and 8-mm, although 4mm needles are the recommended safer option. Insulin analogues (fast and basal) are plebiscite. Arms and thighs are the preferred injection sites; the abdomen (the preferred site elsewhere) is neglected for reasons to be investigated. The correct re-suspension technique for cloudy insulin is unknown. Extensive pen needle re-use (10+ times) for over half of the patients exposes them to both higher intramuscular (IM) injection risk and lipohypertrophy (LH). Injection training is performed in Algeria by the diabetologist. CONCLUSION: this study describes for the first time Algerian patients´ insulin injection technique. It highlights their skills and identifies many deficiencies which patients and professionals must correct given the issues in this area.