Date of Award

Fall 12-1-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences

Department

Applied Health Science

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between diabetics’ socioeconomic status, self-efficacy, education levels, gender, and ethnicity and their medication and physical activity (i.e., healthy exercise) adherence regarding to their physicians and health educators’ counsels. Also, the study investigated whether or not the respondents adhered to medication prescription and physical activity routines. The study used a non-probability convenience sampling technique to recruit 102 type 2 diabetics (female, n = 65 and male, n = 37) from Indiana and Illinois Counties surrounding Vigo County, Indiana. The respondents reported their self-care activities throughout the seven days prior to completing the study questionnaire. A positive (direct) relationship between self-efficacy and healthy exercise, and a positive association between gender and self-efficacy were found (P < 0 .5). Besides, while the majority of the respondents adhered to medication treatment, nonetheless medication non-compliance level among the patients was alarming. Interventions that can boost patients’ confidence to successfully engage in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s endorsed physical activity routines may be helpful. These interventions may include diabetes education follow-ups to improve patients’ self-efficacy scores (M = 4.73). Also, healthcare professionals may need to develop more operational plans to improve medication adherence levels among type two diabetics. Moreover, the present study suggests that diet and exercise treatments may be considered as potentials that can lead future success for blood glucose control among type 2 diabetics.

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