Date of Conferral

2018

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Loretta Cain

Abstract

Although it is known that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on the rise in Canada, more information is needed on how well type 2 diabetes patients living in Cambridge, Ontario self-manage their diabetes and what factors influence their adherence to diabetes medication regimens. The objective of this cross-sectional study based on the theory of planned behavior was to determine if there are predictors of adherence to diabetes medications among patients living with type 2 diabetes in Cambridge. The World Health Organization STEPwise Approach to Surveillance was used to collect demographic data. Adherence and diabetes knowledge were assessed with the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and the Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test, respectively. Research subjects were 56 adults recruited through convenience sampling. Predictor variables that were tested included age, gender, level of education, and diabetes education, and the response variable was adherence to diabetes medication. Level of education (p = .001) was the only strong predictor of adherence to diabetes medication in the bivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the following combined variables were significantly associated with adherence to type 2 diabetes medication: age and level of education; age and diabetes knowledge; gender and level of education; gender and diabetes knowledge; and level of education and diabetes knowledge. Application of the findings of this study may help to minimize the risk of diabetes-associated complications and improve quality of life for those with type 2 diabetes, thereby reducing type 2 diabetes healthcare costs for patients, insurance payers, and other stakeholders.

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