Treatment adherence and related factors in patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study

One of the most significant challenges facing healthcare systems today is the growing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes. Effective treatment and the reduction of associated complications require patients to adopt certain behaviors, among which treatment adherence is paramount. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate treatment adherence and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes. In this cross-sectional study, all five healthcare centers in Qaen County, South Khorasan Province, Iran, were included. Participants were then selected using simple stratified sampling and a random number table. Data collection was carried out using the Treatment Adherence Perception Questionnaire (TAPQ). A total of 388 individuals participated in the study, of whom 217 (55.9%) were female. The mean age of participants was 53.80 years (standard deviation [SD]=10.87). The mean total adherence score was 155.98 (SD=31.45). Overall, 6.7% of participants had moderate adherence, 32.2% had good adherence, and 62.1% demonstrated very good adherence to treatment. According to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, treatment adherence was significantly higher among men than women (B= -19.12, 95% CI: -25.23 to -13.01, P<0.001) and among individuals with higher monthly income compared to those with lower income (B= -8.25, 95% CI: -15.36 to -1.13, P=0.004). The findings of this study indicate that treatment adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes in Qaen County is generally at a good level. However, adherence is lower among women and low-income individuals. Health policymakers should aim to reduce financial burdens and improve access to healthcare services, thereby enabling all patients to follow their prescribed treatment regimens more effectively. Highlights