Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the effect of a health education program on drug use
during the month of Ramadan among diabetic patients with chronic renal failure who attended the diabetic
clinic in Nongjik Hospital, Pattani Province, during 1 October 2009 - 31 December 2010. Of the 56
patients, 28 had the Ramadan education program and home visit (study group) and 28 had usual health
care services (control group). Data from hospital records and the drug use follow-up form during Ramadan
of both groups were reviewed. Both groups had comparable characteristics including sex, age, co-morbidity, serum creatinine, estimated
glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, cardiovascular risk score, number of drugs currently
used, fasting blood sugar, and systolic blood pressure. During Ramadan, good drug practice was significantly
higher in the study group (89.3 %) than the control group (14.3 %). Patients in the study group had
significantly lower fasting blood sugar, and systolic blood pressure than the other group. Factors correlating
with good drug practice were principal antidiabetic drugs and modification of drug use during
Ramadan.
It is essential to prepare drug use among Muslim diabetic patients before Ramadan. Good drug
practice during Ramadan will provide effective treatment results in these patients.
