Self-care Behaviors among Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Public Health Zone 4

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study self care behaviors among diabetic patients in urban and rural area of Nonthaburi and Ang Thong province.  Emphasizing on diet control, exercises, medications, physical and mental health care and follow-up  service.  Samples were 120 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients which were selected, as specified in an inclusion criteria.  Data were collected in in-depth interviews between June and August 2006.  Quantitative data analyzed by percentage and qualitative data analyzed by content analysis.

The results revealed that, before their illness, most patients were not knowledgeable about diabetes mellitus in terms of etiology, prevention nor treatment.  While on treatment, most of them received self-care instructions and were informed about the course of the disease.  Patients in the rural area had the disease under control than those in the urban area (20 and 3% respectively).  Most patients did not know their own body mass index, waist circumferences, symptoms of hyper - or hypoglycemia.  The problems found in disease control were inadequate diet control and exercise, and most of them depended on medication rather than other measures.  In conclusion, the risk group had poor access to information on the disease.  Risk communication is an important measure to add up the perception of self-care to people.  Home visit could be helpful in mental support for the patients.  Health education by multi-disciplinary healthcare team is also the strategy for successful self-care promotion as well.