BMC Public Health. 2026 Jul 13. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-28552-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Treatment adherence in type 2 diabetes(T2D) is essential for glycemic control and preventing complications. The aim of the present study was to determine the status of adherence behaviors to diabetes treatment and identify sociodemographic factors associated with these behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes in southern Iran.
METHODS: This cross‑sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to January 2023 among patients with type 2 diabetes attending a diabetes clinic in Bandar Abbas. A total of 396 patients were included using systematic sampling. Data were collected using a validated researcher-made questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics and five treatment-adherence behaviors, including regular medication use, blood glucose monitoring, physician visits, dietary adherence, and physical activity. Associations between demographic and disease-related factors and the outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression, and crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.
RESULTS: Participants (n = 396) had a mean age of 54.4 ± 11.5 years (range: 27-78). Among the treatment adherence behaviors, regular medication use showed the highest level of adherence (86.9%), while regular physical activity had the lowest level (49.7%). In the multivariable analysis, frequent medication use was associated with older age, higher education, higher economic status, and diabetes duration of 6-10 years. Frequent blood glucose monitoring was associated with female sex, older age, and diploma education. Frequent physician visits were associated with older age and longer diabetes duration. Dietary adherence was associated with university education, and frequent physical activity was associated with living alone.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that adherence to treatment among patients with T2Dvaries across different domains and is shaped by individual, social, and clinical factors. It seems that, Lifestyle behaviors such as diet and physical activity are largely influenced by social and environmental contexts, whereas healthcare‑seeking behaviors are more closely linked to disease severity and patients’ interaction with the health system.
PMID:42443860 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-28552-1
