Personality Traits, Medication Beliefs &Adherence to Medication among Diabetic Patients Attending the Diabetic Clinic in a Teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Non-adherence to drug therapy is an important cause of treatment failure among patients with chronic conditions like diabetes. Previous researches have presented associations among personality traits, medication beliefs and adherence to long-term medication treatment in individuals with different chronic diseases. However, there is limited knowledge about associations among personality traits, medication belief and adherence to diabetic treatment in Africa. It was on this basis that this study was undertaken to assess the personality traits and personal beliefs of patients on medication for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and to also assess adherence to treatment. Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross sectional study. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 223 patients attending the diabetic clinic of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos were selected over a period of 12 weeks. Patients were interviewed using the Big Five-factor Personality Inventory, Medication Belief Questionnaire and the Medication Adherence Report Scale. Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student’s t-tests, Chi Square Tests and Pearson’s correlations analysis. Results: Non-adherence was estimated to be 40.8%. Non-adherent respondents had lower mean score of neuroticism personality traits compared to adherent respondents. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a weak negative relationship between neuroticism personality trait and adherence behaviour (P < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant weak correlation (r = 0.1) between specific concern medication belief and adherence to medication among respondents in the study (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Personality traits of diabetic patients can influence their adherence to treatment. Patients with neuroticism personality trait and specific concern medication belief tend to be non-adherent to medication. Healthcare providers should therefore pay more attention to the personality traits and medication beliefs of patients in providing effective management for diabetic patients.

Investigating catastrophic health expenditure among people living with HIV and AIDS in South Western Nigeria

Background:This study aimed to determine the catastrophic healthcare expenditure(CHE)among people living with HIV(PLHIV)in Lagos and to identify factors associated with CHE among them.Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted between January and March 2021 among 578 PLHIVs drawn from various healthcare facilities in Lagos where HIV care and treatment services should be provided free of charge.Data were collected through pretested questionnaires and analyzed using Stata SE 12.Results:The mean monthly expenditure on food was N29,282($53.2),while expenditure on healthcare averaged N8364($15.2).Nearly 60%of respondents experienced CHE,while around 30%had to borrow money to pay for some aspect of their medical treatment.Almost all(96%)had no health insurance plan.Respondents'group,personal income,perception of current health status,and the number of people in their households were significantly associated with catastrophic health expenditure p<0.05.PLHIV in the racial/ethnic minority/migrants'group and those who earned less than₦30,000($55)were statistically significantly associated with CHE at p<0.001 with OR of 28.7 and 3.15,respectively.Conclusions:The study,therefore,highlights the widespread financial hardship faced by PLHIV in accessing healthcare,and the need for policies to increase financial risk protection.