Adherence to the Management of Type I Diabetes among Palestinian Patients in Nablus City: A CrossSectional Study

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the adherence to the management of Type I Diabetes and to investigate factors associated with non-adherence among Palestinian Type 1 Diabetes patients.Methods: One hundred and twenty-six patients diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes were enrolled in an observational crosssectional study. Diabetes self-care adherence was measured using the Self Care Inventory (SCI). The patients were recruited from a diabetes clinic in Nablus city in Palestine. One way ANOVA test and simple linear regressions were used in the statistical analysis.Results: Participants age ranged from 3-43 years; 56% of them were females. The mean age at diagnosis for them was 10 years (± 6.25). The mean glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) was 9 ± 2.32. 66% of patients reported significant non-adherence to glucose testing, 89% reported non-adherence to diet recommendations, 79% reported non-adherence to exercise, and 21% reported non-adherence to administering insulin on time. Age(r=0.29, p<0.05), A1C (r=0.21, p<0.05), sex (p<0.05), and patient educational level (p<0.05) were significantly related to adherence score.Conclusion: Adherence to treatment among patients with Type 1 Diabetes is poor and is associated with age, sex, A1C, and patient educational level. Designed education programs should be implemented among patients with Type 1 Diabetes, which address the importance of adherence to the management of the diseases. More strategies should focus on monitoring the diet and insulin administration.