What is it about?
This study examines why many people with type 2 diabetes in rural Indonesia do not take their diabetes medication as prescribed. Using data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, the researchers analyzed information from 292 adults with type 2 diabetes living in rural areas. The study looked at personal characteristics, work status, access to health services, follow-up visit patterns, and patients’ understanding of their medication. The findings show that medication non-compliance is strongly linked to how often patients attend follow-up visits at primary healthcare centers. Patients who rarely or never attend follow-up visits are much more likely to stop or irregularly take their medication. Working-age adults are also at higher risk of non-compliance, mainly because of time constraints, work demands, and difficulty attending health services during working hours. Interestingly, having information about diabetes medication alone was not enough to ensure good adherence. The study highlights that regular contact with health services, family support, and flexible primary care systems play a key role in helping patients manage their diabetes effectively in rural settings.
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Why is it important?
Poor medication adherence is a major cause of uncontrolled diabetes and preventable complications, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. This study is important because it uses recent national survey data to identify practical and modifiable factors affecting medication adherence among rural patients with diabetes in Indonesia. The findings emphasize that improving adherence is not only about educating patients, but also about strengthening primary healthcare systems. Flexible service hours, active follow-up of patients who miss appointments, home visits, and family involvement are crucial strategies. The results provide valuable evidence for policymakers and healthcare providers to design more realistic, context-sensitive interventions that fit the daily lives of rural and working-age patients.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this study reinforces that medication adherence is shaped more by daily realities than by knowledge alone. Many rural patients want to manage their diabetes well, but work obligations, distance, and limited time create real barriers. Strengthening primary care outreach and making services more patient-friendly—especially for working adults—can make a meaningful difference in long-term diabetes control and quality of life.
Mr Ferry Efendi
Universitas Airlangga
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Factors Influencing Poor Drug Compliance Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: An Experience from Rural Indonesia, Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, January 2026, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s563957.
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