Medication Adherence and Self-Care Management among Patients with Type II Diabetes

Abstract

Type II diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot effectively use insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. This condition affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with numerous complications, including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and blindness. Effective management of type II diabetes requires a combination of lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, alongside medications like insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents.Medication adherence and self-care management are critical in diabetes management. Non-adherence to medication regimens can result in poor glycemic control and increase the risk of developing complications. Self-care management, such as monitoring blood glucose levels, adhering to a healthy diet, and engaging in regular physical activity, can significantly improve health outcomes.This study aims to assess medication adherence and self-care management among type II diabetic patients attending the outpatient department at SRM General Hospital, Kattankulathur.To assess medication adherence and self-care management among type II diabetic patients.To examine the association between medication adherence, self-care management, and selected demographic variables. The majority of type II diabetes patients were in the 35-44 age group (40%), with a higher proportion of females (53.3%) than males (46.7%). A significant portion of patients (80%) were married, and most (66.7%) had a monthly income of Rs. 5000 or below. In terms of family structure, 80% lived in nuclear families, and 53.3% resided in rural areas. Regarding Medication Adherence a substantial majority (97.78%) of patients demonstrated low adherence to their medication regimen, while only 2.22% exhibited medium adherence. No patients exhibited high adherence. Regarding Self-care Management 80% of patients had a fair level of self-care management, while 10% showed poor or good levels. This suggests that most patients are managing their condition at a moderate level, though improvement is necessary.