A causal relationship model of factors influencing glycemic control among the elderly with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Sukhothai Province, Thailand

Main Article Content

Pattama Suphunnakul
Suthichai Sirinual
Vimala Chayodom
Orapin Singhadej

Abstract

The  purpose  of  this  study  was  to  investigate  the  causal  relationships  model  of  the  factors  influencing glycemic  control  among  the  elderly  with  type  2  diabetes  mellitus  (T2DM).  A  multi  stage  sampling  was used  to  recruit  390  patients  with  type  2  diabetes  from  9  primary  care  units  in  Sukhothai  Province.  Data were  collected  by  questionnaire  with  reliability  value  of  knowledge,  social  support  and  self-care  behaviors were  0.81,  0.82  and  0.82,  respectively.  Data  were  analyzed  using  descriptive  statistics  and  testing  a  causal relationship  model  by  path  analysis.


The  results  showed  that  58.5%  were  females.  Of  57.7%  had  duration  of  illness  1-  5  years  with  the mean of 5.48 years and S.D. of 2.42. Most of them (59.5%) aged 60-64 years with the mean age of 63.98 years  and  S.D.  of  =  2.29.  Half  of  the  sample  had  poorly  controlled  fasting  blood  glucose  (FBG  ≥  126 mg/dl)  with  the  mean  of  135.19  mg/dl.  The  analysis  of  a  causal  relationship model  illustrated  by  social support  demonstrated  direct  effect  on  self-  care  behaviors  (β =  0.81,  p-value <  0.05),  and  explained  the variance  in  self  –  care  behaviors  at  91%.  On  the  other  hand,  diabetes  knowledge  had  no  direct  effect  on self-care  behaviors  (β =  0.15, p-value <  0.05).  However,  self-care  behaviors  had  a  negative  direct  effect on  FBG (β =  0.82, p-value <  0.05),  and  explained  the  variance  in  FBG at  67%.


In  conclusion,  social  support  was  the  most  important  factor  on  diabetes  self-management. Meanwhile, the knowledge cannot change their behavior. In order to control T2DM among the elderly, the focus should  be  on  promoting  social  support  rather than  diabetes  knowledge.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Suphunnakul P, Sirinual S, Chayodom V, Singhadej O. A causal relationship model of factors influencing glycemic control among the elderly with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Sukhothai Province, Thailand. J Public Hlth Dev [Internet]. 2017 Aug. 29 [cited 2024 Nov. 2];15(2):31-42. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AIHD-MU/article/view/74803
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies

Pattama Suphunnakul, Faculty of Public Health, Narasuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Faculty of Public Health, Narasuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Suthichai Sirinual, School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

Vimala Chayodom, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Orapin Singhadej, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand