Relationship between family support and compliance in diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract

Background: Indonesia holds fourth place in the world with the highest number of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the province of East Kalimantan is in third place with the city of Bontang. The existence of distance restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions on the number of outpatients in health facilities, so family support had a prominent role in drug therapy adherence in DM patients. Aim: This study aims to determine the relationship between family support and adherence to antidiabetic drug therapy in DM patients. Methods: This observational cross-sectional research conducted from May to June 2021 at the Pupuk Kaltim Hospital, Bontang city, used a purposive sampling technique. It enrolled 104 DM outpatients who completed a validated questionnaire instrument to measure family support and drug therapy adherence. Results: Data analysis showed a significant relationship between family support and drug therapy adherence (p=0.009) and the emotional support dimension (p=0.0001), while the three other dimensions (informational support, instrumental support, and reward support) were not significant. Conclusion: Family support, especially emotional support, is associated with adherence to antidiabetic drug therapy in DM patients.