Hubungan literasi kesehatan, kepatuhan penggunaan obat dan pengendalian kadar gula darah pada pasien diabetes melitus tipe 2

Winda Abdillah (Nasional Hospital)
Yuswanto Setyawan (Fakultas Kedokteran, Universitas Ciputra Surabaya)

JOURNAL OF Pharmacy and Tropical Issues
Vol. 6 No. 3 (2026): July Edition 2026

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that requires long-term management to achieve optimal glycemic control and prevent complications. Health literacy and medication adherence are important factors that may influence patients’ ability to manage their condition and maintain blood glucose levels within the recommended range. Purpose: To determine the relationship between health literacy, medication adherence, and glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: An analytical observational design with a Cross-Sectional approach was employed. A total of 422 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited using purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and analyzed using Chi-Square, Spearman Rank, and logistic regression analyses. Results: Health literacy and medication adherence are significantly associated with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (p<0.05). Patients with good health literacy tend to demonstrate more effective self-management behaviors and medication adherence. Of these two factors, multivariate analysis indicates that medication adherence is the most influential factor regarding glycemic management after controlling for other variables. Conclusion: Health literacy and medication adherence are significantly associated with glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Improving patients’ understanding of health information and promoting adherence to prescribed medications may contribute to better diabetes management and improved glycemic outcomes. Therefore, healthcare providers should strengthen educational interventions and adherence-support programs to enhance long-term diabetes care. Suggestion: Healthcare professionals and health service facilities are expected to enhance their type 2 diabetes mellitus education programs, ensuring they are sustainable and easily understood. Future research is recommended to employ longitudinal or cohort designs to evaluate the causal relationships between health literacy, medication adherence, and blood sugar control.