The effect of health perception and family support on the medication adherence in individuals with TYPE 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT THE EFFECT OF HEALTH PERCEPTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT ON THE MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS Beyza ÇORAK Amasya University, Institute of Health Sciences Department of Nursing, Internal Medicine Nursing, MSc, January /2022 Supervisor: Assistant Prof. Neşe UYSAL The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between health perception and family support and medication adherence levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This research was conducted as a descriptive and correlational study. The population of the study consisted of individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who applied to a district state hospital. Power analysis results were used to calculate the sample size of the study, and 210 individuals over the age of 18 and gave consent to the study constituted the sample of the study. Research data were collected using a personal information form, Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale, Health Perception Scale and Family Support and Conflict Scale in Type 2 Diabetes. The level of adherence to treatment of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be low in 45.2%, moderate in 34.3%, and high in 20.5%. It was determined that the total health perception scores and the importance of health sub-dimension mean score and family support mean scores differed statistically significantly according to the level of medication adherence (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between Morisky Medication Adherence Scale mean scores and Health Perception Scale total scores (r=0.219; p=0.001); and a positive and significant correlation was found between Morisky Medication Adherence Scale mean scores and Family Support and Conflict Scale mean scores (r=0.160; p=0.021). It was found that the level of medication adherence did not show a statistically significant difference according to the variables of age, gender, marital status, and educational status (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between adherence to the diet, regular check-ups and acute complication and medication adherence scores (p<0.05). In this study, it was found that nearly half of the individuals with diabetes had low levels of adherence to treatment and it was determined that the level of medication adherence was related to family support and perception of health. It was determined that the levels of adherence to treatment differed significantly according to diet compliance and diabetes-related complications. It is recommended to increase awareness of the importance of family support in individuals with diabetes and to conduct more studies on health perception. Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Family support, Health perception, Medication adherence