Exploring Patient Comprehension and Adherence to Diabetes Self-Management Programs

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring continuous self-management to prevent complications and maintain glycemic control. Diabetes self-management programs are widely implemented to educate patients about diet, physical activity, medication adherence, blood glucose monitoring, and complication prevention. Despite the availability of structured programs, patient comprehension and adherence remain inconsistent, contributing to poor clinical outcomes. This study explores the relationship between patient comprehension and adherence to diabetes self-management programs using structural equation modeling with Smart PLS. A cross-sectional analytical design was conducted among 300 adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics. Patient comprehension was assessed through validated knowledge assessment questionnaires covering disease understanding, medication use, lifestyle modifications, and glucose monitoring. Adherence was measured using self-reported medication adherence scales, dietary compliance indices, physical activity logs, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Smart PLS was employed to evaluate measurement reliability and examine the structural relationship between comprehension and adherence while controlling for age, educational level, and duration of diabetes. Results indicated a significant positive association between patient comprehension and adherence behaviors. The structural model explained 61 percent of variance in adherence outcomes. Higher comprehension scores were associated with improved medication compliance, better dietary control, increased physical activity, and lower glycated hemoglobin levels. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing patient education strategies within diabetes self-management programs to improve long term outcomes. This research contributes to evidence-based healthcare planning by identifying comprehension as a key predictor of effective diabetes self-care.