A model of self-regulation that explains the health behavior of type II diabetic patients was tested by examining the use of symptoms as indicators of perceived blood glucose levels in 38 outpatients. Results of the study supported the self-regulation model by demonstrating that patients use symptoms to monitor blood glucose levels and to guide diabetes-related actions. Implications of the model for planning interventions with type II diabetes are discussed.

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A ims:This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out to determine factors such as clinical and demographic variab les that may affect medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) receiving treatment at the Institute of health and hygiene of Dakar, but are affiliated to Non-Govern mental Organizations which are HIV/AIDS support group based in Dakar..All consenting subjects from these two support groups were enrolled into study but 305 PLWHA volunteered to participate throughout the three months period of the study. Methods: The study was conducted with the aid of structured interview assisted questionnaires to obtain informat ion on demographic characteristics such as age, sex, occupation, marital status, educational backgrounds, and source of support. Information on availability and side effects of antiretroviral drugs were also obtained. Results:This study indicated that majority of people liv ing with HIV/AIDS interviewed were females (80.3%) while (19.7%) were males. Male respondents show better adherence (91.7%) to ARV med ications than female counterparts (83.7%). Subjects in age the age groups 24-35 years wh ich is the most sexually active groups are mo re vulnerab le (59.1%) when co mpared to other age groups. A large nu mber, (67.2%) were married and there was a significant difference between marital status of PHWHA (P<0.05) and level of adherence to antiretroviral med ications. Descriptive and Chi-square statistical tests were used respectively to evaluate the distribution of respondent's opinion and investigate the level of association between the variables being consideredand respondent'sadherence to antiretroviral med ications. Conclusion: We conclude that there is need to carry out further study in order to fully exp lore the extent to which marital status and other factors can affect medication adherence of people living with HIV/AIDS.

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