Challenges Faced in Accessing Diabetes Drugs in Low and Middle Income Settings in Aba North, Southeast Nigeria

Diabetes is a costly disease, placing a high financial burden on the patient and the healthcare system in every nation. If poorly managed, it can cause a lot of damage to body parts such as blindness, loss of kidney function. The aim of this study is to determine the challenges faced in accessing drugs for diabetes mellitus management in south-eastern Nigeria. The study was conducted between January and December, 2014 in Aba North which is one of the Local Government Areas in Abia State. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving face-to-face interview with patients based on a structured questionnaire format. Stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain the required sample size of 200 from the sampling frame on only those who met the inclusion criteria. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The generated data were presented into table/charts, and also analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square statistics. The level of association was accepted at 0.05 significant differences. The results of this study showed that age of the respondents, from 51 years and above were highest 71(35%) compared with other age ranges. The educational level of the respondents was majorly on secondary level of education (46.5%). Access to diabetes drugs, 136(68%) of the respondents said they have access to diabetes drugs. Socioeconomic status influences the access of diabetes drugs (55%) and availability of diabetes drugs (80%).Also cost of diabetes drugs have high influence of (82.5%) on accessing diabetes drugs. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that majority of the patients with diabetes have access and knowledge of diabetes drugs but still some are yet to meet up with it due to some factors. Therefore, there is need to strengthen diabetes care centres with special focus on improving drugs availability and integration of health services for diabetes at the community level.