Muhammad Alfana

Factors Influencing Routine Treatment Adherence Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Sleman District

Introduction

Factors influencing routine treatment adherence among diabetes mellitus patients in sleman district. Investigate factors affecting routine treatment adherence in Sleman's diabetes patients. This study finds age significantly correlates with adherence, while education and facility distance do not.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires regular treatment and routine medical check-ups. Sleman Subdistrict has a high number of people living with diabetes, yet its healthcare service coverage remains low. This study aims to examine the profile of patients, their level of treatment adherence, and the influence of age, education, and distance to health facilities on adherence. A quantitative approach was employed, involving 227 respondents. Data were collected using the MMAS-8 questionnaire and spatial mapping, then analyzed descriptively as well as through Spearman’s and Kendall’s correlation tests. The findings indicate that most respondents are elderly, have a low-to-medium education level, and live in proximity to healthcare facilities. Adherence levels were predominantly moderate and low. Age was found to have a significant correlation with adherence, whereas education and distance showed no significant relationship with treatment adherence.

Review

The study, "Factors Influencing Routine Treatment Adherence Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Sleman District," addresses a critical public health issue: ensuring consistent treatment adherence for diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition requiring diligent management. The stated context of Sleman District, with its high diabetes prevalence and low healthcare service coverage, underscores the urgent need for such research. The authors set out to systematically profile patients, assess their adherence levels, and determine the influence of age, education, and distance to health facilities on adherence, employing a quantitative approach with a substantial sample size of 227 respondents and utilizing established tools like the MMAS-8 questionnaire alongside spatial mapping. The findings reveal an insightful demographic profile, indicating that most respondents are elderly with low-to-medium educational attainment, and, interestingly, live in close proximity to healthcare facilities. Despite this accessibility, adherence levels were predominantly categorized as moderate and low, highlighting a significant challenge in managing this chronic condition. A key discovery is the significant correlation between age and treatment adherence, suggesting that older patients may face particular barriers or facilitators warranting further investigation. Conversely, the absence of a significant relationship between education level and distance to health facilities with adherence is an important finding, challenging common assumptions and indicating that these factors may not be primary determinants in this specific population. While providing valuable initial insights, the abstract points to several avenues for further consideration. The cross-sectional nature of the study, as implied, limits the ability to infer causality and observe changes in adherence over time. The MMAS-8, while widely used, relies on self-reported data which can be subject to recall bias or social desirability. The non-significant findings for education and distance, despite the latter's measurement through spatial mapping, suggest that other unexamined factors – such as socioeconomic status, perceived disease severity, patient-provider communication, health literacy beyond formal education, or psychosocial support – might play a more dominant role in influencing adherence in this specific population. Future research could benefit from incorporating qualitative methods to explore the 'why' behind the age correlation, delve deeper into the specific challenges faced by non-adherent patients, and investigate a broader spectrum of behavioral and contextual determinants to inform more targeted and effective intervention strategies for diabetes management in Sleman District and similar settings.

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