Perceived Self-care Behaviors among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Poor Glycemic Control

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to determine perceived self-care behaviors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T₂DM) and poor glycemic control. The informants were 22 patients with T₂DM and poor glycemic control receiving services at the extended out of patient department clinic, branch 1 of Phrae Hospital. The research instruments consisted of a questionnaire of personal characteristics and health informations, an semi-structured interview of self-care behaviors of patients with diabetes mellitus, and a tape recorder. Data were collected from May, 2014 to May, 2015 and were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and content analysis.

The research results revealed that six main themes associated with uncontrolled blood glucose behaviors had emerged in the patients with T₂DM as follows: 1) food consumption, especially having sticky rice, having salty, sweetie and spicy food; 2) alcohol drinking during traditional events, religious ceremony and social gatherings; 3) inadequate exercise because of tiredness after working and too short duration of exercise; 4) medication in-adherence, particularly forgetting taking medicine after dinner and using herbal medicine together with the treatment; 5) stress from their chronic illness and feeling fear of worst symptoms of their disease; and 6) loss of follow-up because of forgetting the follow-up date and do not want to visit the appointment.

This research suggested that nurses and healthcare providers should give health education to patients with diabetes mellitus under their social context and individual differences. This concludes the promotion of self-care awareness and blood sugar follow-up of patients with diabetes mellitus.