Abstract:

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is among the emerging health problems in urban and rural communities whose treatment is lifelong and expensive. There have also been incidences of disabilities like retinopathy and delayed wound healing associated with diabetes mellitus.

Broad objectives: The main objectives of this study was to determine the existence availability and accessibility of ant diabetic drugs

Setting: The study was conducted at usangi hospital mwanga health Centre, and kifula health Centre at diabetic clinic in mwanga District

Study design: A cross-section hospital based study among outpatient clinic. This was designed a cross-section because it was meant to be conducted in a short period of time and for descriptive purpose for the situation.

Method: Questionnaires was used to collect information from diabetic patients those who were on anti-diabetic drugs and checklists was used to look for available drugs and each health facility

Results: Based on finding 240(62.5%) of the participants were female. The average age of participants was 58years old. Metformin 500mg, Glibenclamide 5mg and chloropropamide 250mg were the anti-diabetic drugs available in all the three health facilities. About 149(38.8%) participants had been diagnosed as a case of diabetic mellitus since 1 and 5 years earlier. More than two thirds 281(73%) of participants had 2types of diabetic mellitus. Out of 384paricipants, 284(74%) were on tablets and 100(26%) were on injections (insulin). Majority 357(93.0%) of the participants agreed that if the ant diabetic drugs were not available in the hospital/health Centre they could get them in private pharmacies. More than one third 182(47.4%) of participants used cash to buy ant diabetes, 167 (43.5%) used to ensure to gate the ant diabetes at only 35 (9.1%) participants were exempted from payment for their drugs because they were elderly.

Conclusion: Majority of participants knew the type of diabetes they were suffering from and that some ant diabetes were available within the hospital and private pharmacies in town hence they were able to gate thrice in three months visited.

Recommendation: There is a need for health facility management to give education for the patient based on these (diabetic mellitus), they should also encourage the patient to undertake physical exercise, to follow the recommended diet and lastly to make sure that anti-diabetic drugs are available and accessible to all patients.