| Abstract: | OBJECTIVE: to identify salient behavioral, normative, control and self-efficacy beliefs
related to the behavior of adherence to oral antidiabetic agents, using the Theory
of Planned Behavior. METHOD: cross-sectional, exploratory study with 17 diabetic patients in chronic use of
oral antidiabetic medication and in outpatient follow-up. Individual interviews
were recorded, transcribed and content-analyzed using pre-established categories.
RESULTS: behavioral beliefs concerning advantages and disadvantages of adhering to
medication emerged, such as the possibility of avoiding complications from
diabetes, preventing or delaying the use of insulin, and a perception of side
effects. The children of patients and physicians are seen as important social
references who influence medication adherence. The factors that facilitate
adherence include access to free-of-cost medication and taking medications
associated with temporal markers. On the other hand, a complex therapeutic regimen
was considered a factor that hinders adherence. Understanding how to use
medication and forgetfulness impact the perception of patients regarding their
ability to adhere to oral antidiabetic agents. CONCLUSION: medication adherence is a complex behavior permeated by behavioral, normative,
control and self-efficacy beliefs that should be taken into account when assessing
determinants of behavior. |
