Investigation of the relationship between post-earthquake trauma level and treatment adherence in type II diabetes patients

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine whether there is a relationship between trauma level and treatment compliance of Type II diabetes patients who experienced the February 6 Earthquake in Malatya and the influencing factors. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from Type II Diabetes patients who came to the Internal Medicine service or polyclinics of Battalgazi State Hospital for control or treatment between July and December 2024, using the Introductory Information Form, Post-Earthquake Trauma Level Determination Scale, and the Patient Compliance to Type II Diabetes Mellitus Treatment Scale, through face-to-face interviews with Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients, so as not to disrupt their treatment in the hospital. The research was descriptive and correlational, and the data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) 25.0 software. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 60.72±10.20 years (32-87), and 52.3% of them were female. The mean depression sub-dimension of the Type II treatment compliance scale was 10±5.87, and the mean post-earthquake trauma level determination scale was 0.65±9.93. A positive and moderately significant correlation was found between compliance with type II diabetes treatment and post-earthquake trauma level. Conclusion: A positive and moderately significant correlation was found between compliance with type II diabetes treatment and post-earthquake trauma level. Studies can be conducted to reduce the level of trauma and improve treatment adherence in patients with type II diabetes following an earthquake. Keywords: Earthquake, Type II Diabetes, Trauma Level, Treatment Compliance