Date of Conferral

7-13-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Nursing

Advisor

Janice Long

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses significant health challenges globally, with individuals and health care systems in rural communities particularly affected. Adherence to antidiabetic medication is crucial for effective management of T2DM. Still, people with T2DM encounter barriers that lead to nonadherence, resulting in poor glycemic control, increased complications, and higher health care costs. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of rural Jamaicans regarding the factors influencing nonadherence to antidiabetic medications. The basic qualitative study was underpinned by social cognitive theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight rural Jamaican participants with T2DM. Interview data were manually transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: (a) lifestyle pressures and structural barriers, (b) cultural preference for herbal remedies, (c) emotional and psychological impact, (d) effects of health system and provider limitations, and (e) recommendations for improving medication adherence. The study may promote positive social change by furthering nursing leaders’ understanding of targeted interventions to improve adherence and enhance disease management. The study also has implications for health care policy and resource allocation. Future research is needed to determine the influence of cultural beliefs and traditional remedies on treatment decisions among patients with T2DM.

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