LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE AMONG DIABETIC AND HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AND AFFECTING FACTORS IN AL-MADINA, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

Introduction:-Chronic disease, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, is a condition that requires compliance to health care provider's recommendations to be under control. When a chronic disease is inadequately managed, the condition may worsen. Objectives:- To determine the level of compliance among diabetic and hypertensive patients and the factors affecting their compliance. Methods:-A cross sectional analytic study was conducted and included diabetic and hypertensive patients participated in the campaign (Your Health is Your Life VI) held in Al-Medina. Data collected by administering a questionnaire and measuring glycosylated hemoglobin and blood pressure for all participants. Results:-Among 104 participants included in this study the level of compliance was 47.1% to regular follow-up, 53.8% to medications, 66.3% to doctor's advice on diet and 62.5% on exercise. Urban participants have a higher percentage in compliance to regular follow up and medications comparing to rural. The age above 41 years associated with better compliance to advices on diet. Participants with both diabetes and hypertension and those managed by pills have better compliance to other medications. An excellent patient-doctor relationship, feeling satisfied after each visit and good information about health state associate with good compliance to regular follow up and doctor's advices on diet and exercise. The forgetfulness was the cause of non-compliance in more than half of participants. Conclusion:-The compliance was good among almost half of the participants and it was significantly associated with good patient-doctor relationship. The most affecting factors was related to the presence of co-morbidities and type of prescribed medications.