Development and Validation of an Instrument for Assessing Nurses' Control Sources of Resilience in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: Nurses' resilience in the care of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is essential. This study aimed to develop and validate an instrument for assessing nurses' resilience control resources in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this qualitative study, with a conventional content analysis based on a literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 nurses, the initial draft of the instrument was prepared in different aspects based on a 5-point scale. The instrument's face validity and content validity were examined in 15 nurses and 15 experts, and construct validity was obtained in 482 nurses using the available sampling method. Data were analyzed in SPSS software Version 24 using indexes and analytic tests. Results: Out of 54 items, 18 items were confirmed by the expert panel and the items had content validity ratio and content validity index scores higher than 0.79. According to the results of an exploratory factor analysis, this tool has 4 dimensions: God, chance, internal locus of control, and powerful others. They accounted for 48.06% of the total variance. CFA showed the indices confirmed the model fit (χ2/df = 1.846, comparative fit index = 0.921, incremental fit index = 0.923, root mean square approximation error = 059, goodness of fit index = 0.905). The reliability of the instrument was acceptable (Ω > 0.70, α > 0.7, CR >0.60, and intra-class correlation coefficients > 0.70). Conclusion: The developed tool is used to measure the control resources of nurses' resilience in caring for COVID-19 patients. It can help recognize the focus areas for developing appropriate interventions.

Perceived barriers of migrants and refugees to vaccinate their children against Measles and polio: a study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the perceived barriers of migrants and refugees to vaccinating their children against measles and polio in Iran. METHODS: First, an instrument was developed and validated through several steps. Next, 1,067 parents who had not vaccinated their children against polio and measles or had delayed receiving any dose of these two vaccines until the age of 15 were selected from 16 provinces and completed the instrument. Finally, the data were analyzed. RESULTS: The results of the explanatory factor analysis showed that the perceived barriers affecting vaccination against polio and measles vaccines were categorized into five factors: low knowledge, negative attitude, communication challenges, lack of participation in vaccination programs, and problems related to migration and refugees. Additionally, the results indicated a significant difference in the mean score of perceived barriers based on participants' level of education, economic status, and nationality. CONCLUSION: The identified barriers may provide a perspective for developing effective efforts in this area. Interventions should focus on parents with low education and poor economic status.

A qualitative exploration of Iranian smokers' experiences in terms of cigarette butt littering behaviour.

Although literature shows that Cigarette Butt (CB) is not just litter but a toxic waste which has harmful effects on the environment, a large number of smokers litter their CBs onto the ground. This study explored the experiences of smokers in terms of CB littering behaviour. A qualitative content analysis study was conducted in Tehran, Iran in 2019. Twenty-seven semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with smokers who discarded CB on the ground in outdoor public areas. Participants were asked about their experiences of littering CB. After the first interview, continuous data analysis began and continued up to saturation level. Three main categories including personal, social and structural factors emerged as the participants' experiences about discarding CB. These variables may suggest areas of focus for developing interventions to meet butt littering issue in Iran.

Can adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among seafarers be increased via a theory-based mobile phone-based text message intervention? A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: One of the main occupational hazards for seafarers is the long exposure to sunlight. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a mobile phone-based text message intervention in adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among a sample of seafarers in Genaveh port located in Bushehr province, Iran. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 136 seafarers were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention (n = 68) or a control groups (n = 68). As a theoretical basis, we followed the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) variables to develop the text messages. The data related to PMT variables and skin cancer preventive behaviors were collected through a questionnaire. Forty-five text messages were designed, pre-tested and sent to the seafarers' phones in the intervention group in 45 days. Both groups were followed up 1 month after the intervention. Data collected in the two stages were analyzed using paired-samples t-test, ANCOVA, and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: Following the intervention, the mean scores of adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors (p = 0.001), perceived self-efficacy (p = 0.01), protection motivation (p = 0.02), and fear (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group. There was significant reduction in the response costs (p = 0.05) and perceived rewards (p = 0.01) scores in the intervention group compared with the control group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the perceived vulnerability (p = 0.14), perceived severity (p = 0.09), and response efficacy (p = 0.64) between the two groups after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study indicated the effectiveness of mobile phone-based text message intervention for increasing skin cancer preventive behaviors in Iranian seafarers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry for Clinical Trial (the link to trial: https://www.irct.ir/trial/7572 ). Registered 16 July, 2016. Prospectively registered.

Nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practice towards breast cancer prevention among the female population of Iran University of medical science students.

Diet plays a measurable role in breast cancer (BC) prevention. The aims of this study were to assess nutrition-related BC prevention Knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) of female university students and to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics of students and their KAP. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 500 female students from Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS). A pretested self-administered questionnaires were used to assess the participants' nutrition-related BC prevention KAP. A total of 500 students completed the survey. Students' knowledge with the mean score of 16.97, significantly varied by age (P= 0.03), the field of study (P= 0.001) and family history of BC (P= 0.01). The mean score of attitudes and practice toward nutrition-related BC prevention factors were 24.86 and 39.39, respectively. A significant relationship was observed between nutrition knowledge and attitude (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Also, Nutrition-related attitudes were positively correlated with the BC prevention dietary practices (r = 0.23, P < 0.001). Nutrition KAP about BC prevention factors was found to be influenced by individual factors such as age, field of study, familial history of BC, job and residency status. Together, our findings confirm that increasing nutrition knowledge is not sufficient for dietary behavior change, but is necessary.

Effect of nutrition education intervention based on Pender's Health Promotion Model in improving the frequency and nutrient intake of breakfast consumption among female Iranian students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of nutrition education intervention based on Pender's Health Promotion Model in improving the frequency and nutrient intake of breakfast consumption among female Iranian students. DESIGN: The quasi-experimental study based on Pender's Health Promotion Model was conducted during April-June 2011. Information (data) was collected by self-administered questionnaire. In addition, a 3 d breakfast record was analysed. P < 0·05 was considered significant. SETTING: Two middle schools in average-income areas of Qom, Iran. SUBJECTS: One hundred female middle-school students. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in immediate competing demands and preferences, perceived barriers and negative activity-related affect constructs in the experimental group after education compared with the control group. In addition, perceived benefit, perceived self-efficacy, positive activity-related affect, interpersonal influences, situational influences, commitment to a plan of action, frequency and intakes of macronutrients and most micronutrients of breakfast consumption were also significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group after the nutrition education intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Constructs of Pender's Health Promotion Model provide a suitable source for designing strategies and content of a nutrition education intervention for improving the frequency and nutrient intake of breakfast consumption among female students.

What factors affect the quality of life of employed physically disabled people? A qualitative exploration of their experiences.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature, the majority of People With Physical Disabilities (PWPDs) have a low Quality of Life (QOL). The goal of this study was to look at the experiences of a group of employed PWPDs in Iran in terms of the factors influencing their QOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A conventional qualitative content study was carried out in Qazvin City, Iran, from February to August 2020. Twenty-eight semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 employed PWPDs (6 men and 14 women), 5 five family members, and 3 of the participants' employers (n = 3) were conducted. Participants were asked about their experiences with factors that impacted the QOL of employed PWPDs. RESULTS: Continuous analysis of data began and continued up to data saturation. The participants' experiences on influencing variables QOL were merged into four major categories: psychological state, socioeconomic problems, structural obstructions, and physical constraints. CONCLUSION: Conducting psychological therapy to reduce stress and using adaptive coping strategies, changing perceptions of the community about PWPDs via the media, and also improving environmental infrastructure may help to increase QOL in PWPDs.

Determinants of COVID-19 preventive health behaviors in Iranian adults based on extended parallel process model.

Performing preventive behaviors by individuals has been recognized as one of the important strategies for the prevention and control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to assess the determinants of adopting preventive behaviors of COVID-19 in a sample of Iranian adults based on Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) variables. In this cross-sectional study, 300 adults from Tehran, Iran were selected using cluster sampling method from five areas of the city: north, south, west, east, and center. The participants completed a study instrument developed to assess demographic information and EPPM variables. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software. The mean age of the participants was 40.11 (± 15.158) years. The results showed that 88.3% (n = 265) of the participants were in the process of danger control. Perceived self-efficacy, attitude, response efficiency, behavioral intention, and the number of hours of activity outside home were determinants of performing COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the participants. These predictors might be used to develop theory-based educational efforts based on EPPM variables due to encouraging people to adopt COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Our results suggest that because many participants were engaged in danger control, health professionals should focus on increasing perceived efficacy.

Exploring the Causes of Obesity Among Adults in the Kurdish Regions of Iran: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the most important public health problems in the world, which is occurred by various factors. The purpose of this study is to explore the causes of obesity in the Kurdish regions of Iran with a qualitative approach. METHODS: A qualitative content analysis study was conducted in the Kurdish regions of Iran from June 2019 to November 2019. The data were collected by holding focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with 111 obese and thin men and women, and experts from different fields, who were selected through purposive sampling. Additionally, the data were analyzed by the conventional content analysis approach following the steps proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. The researchers used ATLAS.ti (Version 2019) software for data analysis and management. Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used to assess the quality of the research. RESULTS: The results of the data analysis were classified into 5 categories and 16 sub-categories. The main categories included the modern lifestyle, sociocultural norms, indigenous culture of nutrition, lack of institutionalization of exercise, and low health literacy. CONCLUSION: Changing people's beliefs and values ​​about obesity and thinness, changing the dietary habits of individuals, expanding and institutionalizing exercise and physical activity, and enhancing health literacy can prevent and control obesity.

The Preparedness of Primary Health Care Network in terms of Emergency Risk Communication: A Study in Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency Risk Communication (ERC) is known as 1 of the important components of an effective response to public health emergencies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the preparedness of the Primary Health Care Network (PHCN) of Iran in terms of the ERC. METHODS: This study was conducted in 136 Primary Health Care Facilities (PHCFs) affilated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. Data in terms of ERC were collected using a checklist developed by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RESULTS: The findings of the study revealed that 65.9% of the PHCFs had low preparedness in terms of the ERC, 33.3% had a moderate level and 0.8% had high preparedness in this regard. There was a significant difference between the level of ERC and the history of crisis in the past year, PHCF type, and the education level of the responsible employees in the crisis unit in the PHCF. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the PHCFs studied need to increase their capacity and capability in the field of ERC. Further efforts to provide ERC components may increase the preparedness of PHCN in Iran in terms of the ERC.

The effectiveness of an intervention designed based on health action process approach on diet and medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Diet and medication non-adherence are common among individuals with diabetes, making glycemic control difficult to attain. This study aimed to evaluate an intervention designed based on Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) to improve adherence to diet and medication among patients with type 2 diabetes in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 248 patients with type 2 diabetes who had low diet and medication adherence were randomly allocated into two intervention (n = 124) and control (n = 124) groups. Intervention group received educational intervention during three months. HAPA constructs, diet and medication adherence, and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were assessed at baseline, one month and six months after the intervention. Mixed Model Analysis was used to compare between and within group changes in the outcomes. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in HbA1c levels after six months (7.77 ± 1.36% vs. 8.07 ± 1.52%, 95% CI, p < 0.001). Diet and medication adherence, intention, task self-efficacy, coping self-efficacy, recovery self-efficacy, action and coping planning, barriers, benefits and perceived social support were significantly improved one month and six months after the intervention (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our intervention designed based on health action process approach led to improvements in diet and medication adherence, and HbA1c among the patients within one and six months. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT, IRCT20151208025431N4. Registered 10 March 2018, https://fa.irct.ir.

Development of an Instrument to Measure Dietary Supplement Health Literacy.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is one of the important social determinants of health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to measure Dietary Supplement Health Literacy (DSHL) of Iranian women. METHODS: In this psychometrics study, an initial nine-factor instrument was developed. Face validity and content validity of the instrument were evaluated. The factor structure of the instrument was explored by the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) among 400 women taking Dietary supplement. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was done to determine the underlying factor structure of the instrument in this population. The internal and external reliability of the instrument was evaluated. KEY RESULTS: According to expert panel opinions, 16 items were deleted. The results of the EFA showed that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's test of sphericity were significant. EFA showed that 30 items could be grouped into nine factors that accounted for 60.84% of the variance. Since two items in the ability to actively engage with health care providers factor were loaded in factor 1, this factor was labeled Engaging in receiving informational supports from health care providers. In addition, one item of the dimension was loaded in factor 3. Given that the one item of factor 5 and 1 item of factor 6 were loaded in a new factor 9, this factor was labeled Applying information to decision-making. The CFA indicated that the nine-factor structure of the DSHL instrument had a poor fit. To modify indices, factor 9 with 2 items and 1 item of factor 6 were deleted. The Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient of the instrument were acceptable. Finally, a 27-item instrument with 8 dimensions was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that the instrument developed was a valid tool for identifying the DSHL of Iranian women. [HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2022;6(2):e159-e166.] Plain Language Summary: This study sought to develop and validate a multidimensional instrument to measure the health literacy of Iranian women about dietary supplements that was performed from July 2019 to May 2020 in Iran. Findings showed that the 30-item instrument developed in this study is a valid instrument to be used for identifying the health literacy of Iranian women about dietary supplements.

Identification of the opportunities and threats of using social media among Iranian adolescent girls.

Background: The use of the Social Media (SM) has increased dramatically among adolescents. Social media are full of opportunities and threats. The present study aims at identification of opportunities and threats of using social media among Iranian adolescent girls. Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative approach and content analysis in 2019 in the city of Kermanshah, western Iran. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 36 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years who were selected by theoretical and purposive sampling. ATLAS.ti-2019 software and Graneheim and Lundman analysis method were used to analyze the data and Guba and Lincoln criteria were used to evaluate the transferability of the results. Results: The results showed that social media is both a threat and a flourishing platform for adolescents. Findings were classified into 2 main categories and 8 subcategories: threats of using social media including 5 subcategories such as unhealthy lifestyle, increased risky sexual behaviors, academic challenges, tensions, psychological effects, and unconditional freedom, and opportunities to using social media including 3 subcategories such as psychosocial development, knowledge gain, and increased interactions. Conclusion: To strengthen social media opportunities in the face of its challenges, measures such as strengthening media literacy and teaching the correct use of the Internet and social media, educating adolescents and parents about the dangers of social media, educating and empowering parents to effectively communicate with children, producing content tailored to the cultural context and interests of adolescents, using affirmative approaches and removing access restrictions can be helpful.

Employees' Behaviors Concerning Metabolic Syndrome Prevention: A Cellphone-Based Text Message Education Intervention.

Background: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is increasing in Iran. This study was an attempt to determine the effects of a short message service (SMS)-based education intervention on knowledge, attitude, and the adoption of preventive behaviors concerning MetSyn among a sample of employees of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, conducted from January through April 2021, 144 IUMS staff members were assigned either to the intervention group (n=72) or to the control group (n=72). Thirty-two text messages were designed, pretested, and sent to the participants' phones in the intervention group in 32 days. Knowledge, attitude, and the adoption of preventive behaviors vis-à-vis MetSyn were measured in the intervention group before and 1 month after the intervention and compared with those in the control group at the same time points. The data were analyzed using paired t tests and ANCOVA. Results: The mean age of the employees in the intervention and control groups was 42.97±8.80 and 40.81±9.58 years, respectively. The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge (P<0.001), attitude (P<0.001), and the adoption of preventive behaviors regarding MetSyn (P=0.009) were significantly different between the intervention and control groups after the intervention was done via SMS. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that SMS-based interventions might improve knowledge, attitude, and the adoption of preventive behaviors pertaining to MetSyn among employees.

Qualitative exploration of the factors influencing the use of dietary supplements in Iranian women: introduction to areas of focus for developing interventions.

BACKGROUND: Literature shows that the consumption of Dietary Supplements (DS) is more common in Iran. This study aimed to explore the experiences of a sample of Iranian women regarding the factors influencing the use of DS. METHODS: This qualitative content analysis study was conducted in Qods city, Tehran province, Iran from January to March 2020. Forty-two semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed with women. The participants were asked about their experiences about the determinants of the consumption of DS. After the first round of the interviews was done, we performed content analysis of the data and continued up to data saturation. RESULTS: Two main themes including personal factors (with 5 subthemes including sociodemographic characteristics, perceived benefits of DS, history of illness, physiological conditions, and lifestyle factors) and socio-economic factors (with 3 subthemes including subjective norms, the price of food and commercial considerations of the sectors involved in the production and sale of DS) emerged as the experiences of the participants as to the intake of DS. CONCLUSIONS: These variables may suggest areas which need to be focused on for performing more effective interventions to affect appropriate consumption of DS in Iran.

The effect of a nutrition education intervention on knowledge, attitude, and intake of foods high in fats in women.

BACKGROUND: Given that many Iranian were interested in the consumption of foods that are high in fats, the present study was done to determine the effect of a nutrition education intervention on knowledge, attitude, and intake of foods high in fat among a sample of women in Tehran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 92 female referrals to the health houses affiliated to Tehran municipal were selected and assigned to either intervention (n = 46) or control (n = 46) groups. Information (data) regarding women's knowledge, attitude, and practice in terms of foods rich in fat intake was collected by three questionnaires. Then, a nutrition education intervention included four 40-60 min training sessions over 4 weeks was designed and conducted to the study participants in the intervention group. Two groups were followed up 2 months after the intervention. Finally, all data were analyzed by using the independent-samples t-tests, Student's paired-samples t-test, and Pearson correlation analysis on the R software (version 6.3.2). RESULTS: The results showed that there were significant reductions in a positive attitude towards food with high fat content and intake of these foods in the intervention group compared with the control group after the intervention (P < 0.001). Furthermore, following the intervention, the intervention group reported a significant increase in dietary fat nutrition knowledge than the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Developing nutrition education interventions is an effective strategy for reducing the consumption of foods rich in fat in Iranian women.

Using health action process approach to determine diet adherence among patients with Type 2 diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Diet adherence may cause diabetes complications to be diminished. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at identifying determinants of diet adherence among patients with Type 2 diabetes based on the health action process approach (HAPA). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 734 patients with Type 2 diabetes, attending to South Tehran health centers, were recruited during June-December 2018. The dietary regimen scale (nine items) and a researcher-designed questionnaire consisting of HAPA constructs were used to gather the data. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, Pearson Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and linear regression test. All statistical tests were assessed using SPSS (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY, USA: IBM Corp.). RESULTS: The level of nonadherence to diet was 91.1%. Diet adherence was significantly associated with family income (P = 0.005), level of education (P < 0.001), and age (P = 0.009). The linear regression showed that 55% of the variance of diet adherence was determined by HAPA variables. Diet adherence was associated with intention (P < 0.001), action planning (P = 0.005), and barriers (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Most of the patients did not adhere to their diet. Appropriate programs should be designed to promote diet adherence among the patients, especially those with low literacy and patients living in poor communities.

Determinants of medication adherence among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes: An application of health action process approach.

To identify determinants of medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes based on the health action process approach. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 734 patients with type 2 diabetes attending to south Tehran health centers during June to December 2018. Data were gathered using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8-Item) and the health action process approach questionnaire. We used Mann-Whitney, Pearson Chi-Squared, Fisher's Exact and Independent Samples Tests for comparison of adherence medication by demographic characteristics; and linear regression analysis to predict factors related to medication adherence based on HAPA. P-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. A total of 232 men and 502 women participated in the study, Mean age was 61.61 ± 9.74. Most participants (82.3%) reported low medication adherence (females: 68.4%). Medication adherence was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.03). Medication adherence was significantly predicted by intention (ß = 0.172, p = 0.0001), task self-efficacy (ß = 0.172, p = 0.01), copping planning (ß = 0.6, p = 0.0001) and copping self-efficacy (ß = -0.244, p = 0.001). The level of adherence to medications among type 2 diabetes patients was low. The behavior intention, task self-efficacy, copping planning and copping self-efficacy were significant determinants contributed to the medication adherence. HAPA inventory includes various factors, especially types of self-efficacy. Thus, utilization of this comprehensive model in interventional studies is suggested. These determinants should be considered in developing interventional programs to improve adherence.

Effects of progressive muscular relaxation training on quality of life in anxious patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Evidences suggest that relaxation therapy may improve psychological outcomes in heart patients. We evaluated the effect of progressive muscular relaxation (PMR) training in decreasing anxiety and improving quality of life among anxious patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). METHODS: This study was an open uncontrolled trial. The sample included 110 anxious patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation clinic of Tehran Heart Center, Tehran, Iran, during six weeks after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Patients were allocated to receive both exercise training and lifestyle education plus relaxation therapy (relaxation group; n=55) or only exercise training beside lifestyle education (control group or the recipient of usual care group; n=55). Duration of the relaxation therapy was 6 wk and in the case of usual care was 8 wk. Both the groups were followed up one month after completion of intervention. Anxiety and quality of life in the two treatment groups were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in overall QOL, state anxiety and trait anxiety scores between the two groups before intervention. Significant reductions in state anxiety (P<0.01) and trait anxiety (P<0.01) levels were observed in relaxation group after intervention compared to control group. Women had high state anxiety and a low quality of life than men in the two groups before intervention. After intervention, there was no difference between men and women in the relaxation group. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our findings show that progressive muscular relaxation training may be an effective therapy for improving psychological health and quality of life in anxious heart patients.

The determinants of anti-diabetic medication adherence based on the experiences of patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to explain the experiences of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) about medication adherence. METHOD: A qualitative content analysis study was conducted at the Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research and Training Center of Firoozgar Academic Hospital, affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran during April-June 2017. Twenty-six semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with diabetic patients and their families. The participants were asked about their experiences of medication adherence. After the first round of the interviews, content analysis of data started and continued up to the data saturation. RESULTS: Four main themes including perceived barriers (with 6 subthemes including inadequate knowledge, situational influences, inadequate perceived threat about diabetes, treatment characteristics, personality traits and medication cost), perceived social support (with 3 subthemes including family, doctor and community supports), medication beliefs (with 3 subthemes including belief in the effectiveness of treatment, belief in the more effectiveness of complementary therapies than medication use and prioritizing the use of the pills instead of the insulin injection) and cues to action (with 2 subthemes including internal and external cues to action) emerged as the experiences of the participants in terms of anti-diabetic medications adherence which should be considered in developing medication adherence interventions for the patients with T2DM. CONCLUSION: The patients with T2DM had more barriers for regular drugs consumption. They had incorrect beliefs about anti-diabetic drugs. In addition, they were in need of abroad support community, surroundings and also health professionals. Health systems should consider medication adherence training to be added to the treatment protocols of the diabetic patients.