Beliefs About Medicine and Glycemic Control Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in West Bank,
Maher R Khdour1, Heba B Awadallah1, Mustafa A Alnadi2
1Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine.
Introduction:
To examine the mean differences between patient beliefs about medicine with reference to adherence and glycemic control.
Methods:
This study utilized a cross-sectional questionnaire-based approach. Adherence to medication was measured with the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGLS); glycemic control as the last HbA1c test value; and beliefs about medicine with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ).
Results:
According to MGLS scale, 220 (57.9%) of the diabetic patients were classified as high adherent to their medications and 160 (42.1%) were classified as low adherent. Patients had strong believes in their medication, the mean necessity score was significantly outweighed the mean concerns score (17.7 vs 14.4; P < .001). Low adherent patients had significantly more concerns about long term effect of medications (14.4 vs 13.8; P < .008). No significant mean differences were found between glycemic controlled and uncontrolled group regarding necessity or concern domains.
Conclusion:
Assessing beliefs about medicine is crucial for recognizing patients at risk of low adherence, which offers a way to help patients with diabetes to achieve a better glycemic control.
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