The impact of an educational intervention on medication adherence self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes in hail, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Medication adherence self-efficacy is vital for improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Limited data exist on medication adherence self-efficacy among T2DM patients and its relationship with sociodemographic factors. This study examined the effect of an educational intervention on medication adherence self-efficacy using the Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale (SEAMS). Methods: This controlled before-and-after study was conducted at five public hospitals in Hail City, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected pre-intervention (February–May) and post-intervention (August–October). The intervention group received an educational program structured around the American Association of Diabetes Educators 7 Self-Care Behaviors™ (AADE7) framework over six months (12 sessions, every two weeks), delivered via workshops, online modules, and printed materials. A multidisciplinary team guided participants through healthy eating, physical activity, monitoring, problem-solving, medication adherence, reducing risks, and healthy coping. A total of 377 patients completed the study. Results: Baseline findings showed that only 17.8% of patients felt “very confident” in taking medications correctly. Over 72% reported feeling only “somewhat confident” about taking medications on busy workdays, and more than half were somewhat confident when managing medications without reminders. Post-intervention, confidence levels improved significantly, with the proportion feeling “very confident” about taking multiple medications daily rising from 17.8% to 47.7%. Patients also reported enhanced confidence in managing medications during busy days and without reminders. Additionally, patients with a shorter duration of diabetes (