# Impact of Socio-Demographics and Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) on Misconceptions of Metformin Use in Diabetes: A Potential Myth and Disbelief in South Asia

## TL;DR

This study explores how misconceptions about metformin use in diabetes affect medication adherence in South Asia, highlighting the role of socio-demographics and knowledge gaps.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific socio-demographic and knowledge factors linked to metformin non-adherence and misconceptions in a South Asian population.

## Key findings

- Metformin non-adherence was reported at 55%, with fear of organ failure being the most common reason.
- Lower education levels and use of complementary therapies were significantly associated with lower knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) scores.
- The most common misconception was that long-term metformin use causes kidney, liver, or heart damage.

## Abstract

Background: The influence of misconceptions and related socio-demographics on metformin use could hamper adherence to medications. This study aimed to assess the rates and causes of metformin non-adherence and to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on misconceptions of metformin use including the association with socio-demographic variables.

Methods: An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the diabetes clinic of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka. Causes of metformin non-adherence, associations with socio-demographics, and KAP on misconceptions on metformin use were assessed using the chi-squared test, t-tests, and ANOVA using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) (p<0.05).

Results: Metformin non-adherence was reported as 55%. Use of complementary and alternative therapies was 14.7%. Fear of major organ failure was the commonest (20.5%) reason quoted within the non-adherence group (N=223). Socio-demographic factors like ethnicity, lower education, unemployment, use of complementary and alternative therapies, and obtaining medications for other diabetes-related diseases significantly influenced adherence to the metformin-prescribed doses (p<0.05). Among all participants (N=400), the most common misconception was that long-term use of metformin caused organ damage (kidney 72.5%, liver 64.3%, and heart 34.8%), while 44% believed higher doses (two tablets or more for a day) caused organ damage. The KAP scores were reported as 24.5% with low, 52.7% moderate, and 22.7% satisfactory levels. Significantly lower KAP scores were associated with lower education levels and patients obtaining complementary and alternative therapies (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Misconceptions are not merely kept in mind but lead to non-adherence with metformin doses prescribed and warrant evidence-based educational interventions with the high-risk groups.