Background: Adherence to insulin and blood glucose monitoring (BGM) is insufficient in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) worldwide and in Qatar. Little is known about the factors related to being aware of non-adherence and the beliefs related to non-adherence in this group. This qualitative study investigated factors related to awareness of, and beliefs about non-adherence, as well as the existence of specific action plans to combat non-adherence using the I-Change model. Methods: The target group was comprised of 20 Arab AYAs (17–24 years of age) with T1D living in Qatar. Participants were interviewed via semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the Framework Method. Results: Suboptimal adherence to insulin, and particularly to BGM, in AYAs with T1D was identified. Some AYAs reported to have little awareness about the consequences of their non-adherence and how this can adversely affect optimal diabetes management. Participants also associated various disadvantages to adherence (e.g., hypoglycemia, pain, among others) and reported low self-efficacy in being adherent (e.g., when outside home, in a bad mood, among others). Additionally, goal setting and action-planning often appeared to be lacking. Factors facilitating adherence were receiving support from family and healthcare providers, being motivated, and high self-efficacy.  Conclusions: Interventions that increase awareness concerning the risks of non-adherence of AYAs with T1D are needed, that increase motivation to adhere by stressing the advantages, creating support and increasing self-efficacy, and that address action planning and goal parameters.

Background In Qatar, as in the rest of the world, the sharp rise in the prevalence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a leading cause for concern, in terms associated with morbidity, mortality, and increasing health costs. Besides adhering to medication, the outcome of diabetes management is also dependent on patient adherence to the variable self-care behaviors including healthful eating (HE) and physical activity (PA). Yet, dietary intake and PA in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with T1D are known to fall short of recommended guidelines. The aim of this study was to develop an in-depth understanding of the behavioral determinants of HE and PA adherence among Arab AYAs within the age range of 17–24 years with T1D attending Hamad General Hospital. Methods Semi-structured, face-to-face individual interviews were conducted with 20 participants. Interviews were based on an integrative health behavior change model, the I-Change model (ICM). All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the framework method. Results More participants reported non-adherence than adherence. Several motivational determinants of adherence to HE and PA were identified. The majority of participants were cognizant of their own behaviors towards HE and PA. Yet, some did not link low adherence to HE and PA with increased risks of health problems resulting from T1D. Facilitators to adherence were identified as being convinced of the advantages of HE and PA, having support and high self-efficacy, a high level of intention, and a good health care system. Conclusion The suboptimal adherence in AYAs to HE and PA needs more attention. Supportive actions are needed to encourage adherence to a healthy lifestyle to achieve benefits in terms of glycemic control and overall health outcomes, with a special focus on adolescents. Interventions are needed to foster motivation by addressing the relevant determinants in order to promote adherence to these two behaviors in AYAs with T1D.

Objective This systematic review aims to investigate the key socio-cognitive determinants associated with adherence/non-adherence to insulin treatment in late adolescents and young adults in the age range of 17–24 years with T1D. Methods A pre-specified search strategy will be used to search for studies in the electronic databases and citation indexes: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Two researchers will screen the title and the abstract independently, then will read and critically appraise the full text of each included study. A third independent reviewer will resolve disagreements in data extraction until consensus. Data will be extracted using the Population, Exposure, Outcomes, Study characteristics framework. Study selection will follow the updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews (PRISMA 2020) and will take place from 15 October 2021 to 1 January 2022. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the observational studies will be assessed by the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cohort and JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross Sectional Studies. Results A qualitative narrative synthesis will present the characteristics and the quality of studies and the outcomes of concern. Conclusion Based on the contemporary literature, this review will synthesize the evidence on the socio-cognitive determinants associated with adherence/non-adherence to insulin treatment in late adolescents and young adults in the age range of 17–24 years with T1D. The findings will help design patient-centered interventions to promote adherence to insulin in this age group, guide patients’ consultations and diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs. Protocol registration: PROSPERO ID: CRD42021233074.