Factors Associated with Adherence to Treatment in Patients with HIV and Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

We aim to identify the factors that influence the therapeutic adherence of subjects with chronic disease. The design followed in this work was empirical, not experimental, and cross-sectional with a correlational objective. The sample consisted of a total of 400 subjects (199 patients with HIV and 201 patients with diabetes mellitus). The instruments applied for data collection were a sociodemographic data questionnaire; the Morisky, Green, and Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGL); and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. In the group of subjects with HIV, the use of emotional coping strategies was related to lower adherence to treatment. On the other hand, in the group of subjects with diabetes mellitus, the variable related to compliance with treatment was the duration of illness. Therefore, the predictive factors of adherence to treatment were different in each chronic pathology. In the group of subjects with diabetes mellitus, this variable was related to the duration of the disease. In the group of subjects with HIV, the type of coping strategy used predicted adherence to treatment. From these results, it is possible to develop health programs to promote issues ranging from nursing consultations to the adherence and treatment of patients with HIV and diabetes mellitus.