Assessment of patient counselling in diabetic and hypertensive patients in terms of patient knowledge about their medication, disease state and lifestyle modifications by pharmacy personnel at LDF clinic in Maseru

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if diabetic and hypertensive patients were being adequately counselled by pharmacy personnel about their medication, disease states and lifestyle modifications at Lesotho defence force (LDF) clinic in Maseru. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic and hypertensive patients treated at LDF clinic in Maseru from March to May 2017. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data in a face-to-face interview with patients. Microsoft Excel 2010 was used to analyse collected data. Results: The study population consisted of 222 participants; 22 (28.2%) of diabetic. respondents had inadequate knowledge of diabetes mellitus complications and 56 (71.8%) had no knowledge of complications. 153 (78.8%) of hypertensive respondents had inadequate knowledge of hypertension complications and 33 (17.1%) had no knowledge of complications. 56 (25.2%) had adequate knowledge of lifestyle modifications of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and 164 (73.9%) had inadequate knowledge. 182 (82.0%) had adequate knowledge of their anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medicines names, 20 (9.0%) had inadequate knowledge and 20 (9.0%) had no knowledge. 63 (28.4%) had adequate knowledge of their medicines strengths, 17 (7.7%) had inadequate knowledge and 142 (64.0%) had no knowledge. 199 (89.6%) respondents had adequate knowledge of dosing frequency and 20 (9.0%) had inadequate knowledge. Conclusion: Hypertensive and diabetic patients’ knowledge about medication, disease states and lifestyle modifications were inadequate due to poor patient counselling on such aspects by pharmacy personnel at LDF clinic in Maseru.