OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between gender and (1) attendance and (2) compliance with treatment in a population of patients with diabetes who attended outpatient clinics in the island of Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 360 patients who met the selection criteria. Simple consecutive sampling and a questionnaire were used to interview clinic attendees at two urban clinics in east and south Trinidad. RESULTS: 74.2% (267) of the participants were women. A higher percentage of women than men were unemployed (79.4% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001). Men were more likely to consume alcohol (26.9% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001) and smoke cigarettes (20.4% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). Women were more compliant than men regarding diet (39.3% vs. 22.6%, P < 0.005) and prescribed medication (71.9% vs. 65.6%, P < 0.04). Women were more satisfied than men with dispensary (81.3% vs. 71.0%, P < 0.04) and clinic conditions (92.1% vs. 84.9%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More women attended the clinic, and their compliance with the treatment regimen was better than in men. The latter were more likely to engage in health risk behaviors such as drinking and smoking. Efforts focused on men with diabetes mellitus in Trinidad and Tobago are needed to encourage greater compliance.
OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between gender and (1) attendance and (2) compliance with treatment in a population of patients with diabetes who attended outpatient clinics in the island of Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 360 patients who met the selection criteria. Simple consecutive sampling and a questionnaire were used to interview clinic attendees at two urban clinics in east and south Trinidad. RESULTS: 74.2% (267) of the participants were women. A higher percentage of women than men were unemployed (79.4% vs. 59.1%, P < 0.001). Men were more likely to consume alcohol (26.9% vs. 11.6%, P < 0.001) and smoke cigarettes (20.4% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001). Women were more compliant than men regarding diet (39.3% vs. 22.6%, P < 0.005) and prescribed medication (71.9% vs. 65.6%, P < 0.04). Women were more satisfied than men with dispensary (81.3% vs. 71.0%, P < 0.04) and clinic conditions (92.1% vs. 84.9%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More women attended the clinic, and their compliance with the treatment regimen was better than in men. The latter were more likely to engage in health risk behaviors such as drinking and smoking. Efforts focused on men with diabetes mellitus in Trinidad and Tobago are needed to encourage greater compliance.
Authors: Ashna D K Bowry; William H Shrank; Joy L Lee; Margaret Stedman; Niteesh K Choudhry Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-08-20 Impact factor: 5.128