Illness Perceptions and Medication Adherence Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the West Bank, Palestine: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Description

This project aims to investigate the association between illness perceptions and self-reported medication adherence among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending selected outpatient clinics in the West Bank, Palestine. An analytical cross-sectional study will be conducted among approximately 428 participants recruited consecutively from authorized healthcare facilities. Data will be collected using authorized Arabic versions of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) and the five-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), alongside questions on sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes history, medication regimens, medication affordability and availability, and healthcare-access barriers. Selected clinical information, including HbA1c where available, will be obtained from medical records with appropriate authorization. Waist circumference and blood pressure will also be measured using standardized procedures. Statistical analysis will assess the association between illness perception and medication adherence while adjusting for prespecified demographic, clinical, and medication-access factors. The findings are expected to improve understanding of the factors associated with medication-taking behaviour and inform future research and patient-centred diabetes care in Palestine. Recruitment and data collection will begin only after obtaining the required ethical and institutional approvals.