Self-care behaviors and glycemic control among older Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in low-income families in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to find out the association between self-care behaviors and glycemic control in older Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Multan, Pakistan. Data were collected from respondents registered in the Diabetic Clinic of Nishtar College and Hospital Multan from October 2018 to November 2018 through a self-administrative questionnaire. The simple random sample method was used, and a total of 154 Type 2 patients were selected randomly. The inclusion criteria were (a) respondents having Type 2 diabetes at least 6 months prior; (b) respondents being 60 years of age or above; (c) respondents registered in hospital diabetic clinic and (d) respondents belonging to low-income families having monthly income less than PKR 15000. The exclusion criteria were respondents having any physical disability and being dependent on others in physical movement and Type 1 diabetes mellitus patients. Descriptive and simple binary logistic regression was used to analyze the data through SPSS. The results of the study showed that mean glycemic control of respondents was (HbA₁c, 8.47%), and only 48 (31.2%) respondents had better glycemic control. The respondent’s level of education, Body Mass Index, hypertension, comorbidities, knowledge about diabetes and self-care behaviors (exercise, monitor glucose, medicine adherence, and diet plan) were significantly associated with glycemic level (P < .05). Bivariate logistic regression showed respondents, who performed self-care behaviors (to exercise daily 30 minutes, to monitor glucose two times in a week, regular medicine adherence, and to manage diet plan daily) had better glycemic control. The study concluded that few older Type 2 patients managed their better glycemic control in low economic status. The doctors and educationists must provide Type 2 self-care guidelines to older patients so that they may manage their glycemic control better and reduce the diabetes-related complications and treatment costs in Pakistan.

KEYWORDS:

• Poverty
• self-care behaviors
• socio-economic
• older patients
• Type 2
• glycemic control

Acknowledgments

We are thankful for all the support by the Nishtar Medical University, Multan, Pakistan, and the Department of Gender Studies, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

Funding

No funding is received for this publication work.