The relationship between treatment adherence and coping strategies in adult with diabetes mellitus patients in Diyala city, Iraq

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between adherence to treatment and coping strategies in adult patients with diabetes mellitus in Diyala, Iraq. A descriptive and correlational research design was used. The research was conducted in the Baquba Teaching Hospital located in Diyala, Iraq, 1-31 May 2023. In this study, patients with diabetes mellitus were selected by purposive sampling (n=151). Sociodemographic Information Form, The Iraq Anti-diabetic Drug Adherence Scale and Brief Coping Scale were used in data collection by face-to-face interviews with patients. In the analysis of data was used descriptive statistics (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation), t-test, ANOVA, LSD test, Pearson correlation analyses. The significance level was accepted p<0.05. The mean score of Iraq Anti-diabetic Drug Adherence Scale for patients with diabetes mellitus was 5.77±2.08. The mean score of Brief Coping Scale' sub-dimensions was 38.46±6.80 for the "active coping" and 16.19±4.05 for the "passive coping". In this study, it was determined that patients with diabetes mellitus had low levels of adherence to treatment and moderately used both positive and negative coping styles. It was determined that patients with diabetes mellitus mostly used "Seeking support" active coping and "Non-problem-focused" passive coping styles. In this study, it was found that women used to active coping strategies more than men. A statistically significant, moderate and positive relationship (r=0.307, p<0.001) was found between Iraq Anti-diabetic Drug Adherence Scale score and active coping score. It is recommended that Consultation Liaison Psychiatric nurse develop programs to increase treatment compliance and positive coping strategies of patients with DM and evaluate the effectiveness of these programs.