The role of gender in compliance and attendance at an outpatient clinic for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

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 percent (267) of the participants were women. A higher percentage of women than men were unemployed (79.4 percent vs. 59.1 percent, P less than 0.001). Men were more likely to consume alcohol(26.9 percent vs. 11.6 percent, P less than 0.001) and smoke cigarettes (20.4 percent vs. 5.6 percent , P less than 0.001). Women were more compliant than men regarding diet (39.3 percent vs. 22.6 percent, P percent 0.005) and prescribed medication (71.9 percent vs. 65.6 percent, P less than 0.04). Women were more satisfied than men with dispensary (81.3 percent vs. 71.0 percent, P less than 0.04) and clinic conditions (92.1 percent vs. 84.9 percent, P less than 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.