Abstract
BackgroundSelf-management is the backbone of diabetes care. For the patient with type 2 diabetes, this implies making decisions about a healthy diet, regular exercise and taking treatment appropriately. Some patients may experience barriers to the self-management of diabetes, such as lack of support. In this respect, peer support has been identified as a promising strategy in the self-management of diabetes.AimThe study aimed to explore the experiences of adults with type 2 diabetes who took part in a diabetes peer support intervention in the Free State, South Africa. Such information may lead to the development of practical methods for diabetes self-management and control.MethodsTwelve purposively sampled Sesotho-speaking women (aged 51–84 years) participated in the Mmogo-method®, a visual-based narrative enquiry. Textual data from audio recordings of discussions, visual data from photographs of constructions and field notes were triangulated and analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants described the peer support intervention as very valuable. They regarded community health workers as an important source of support. Three themes emerged from the intervention: positive lifestyle changes, continuous support, and improved confidence and sense of connectedness. This was a significant finding reported in patients with diabetes, as it will contribute to successfully sustaining effective self-management behaviour.ConclusionsPeer support for patients with type 2 diabetes appeared to be a valued intervention, as participants related well to community health workers, who are ideally positioned in the healthcare system to provide the service.
Highlights
Diabetes is a global health pandemic that currently affects more than 463 million people
Community health workers (CHWs) from the purposively selected communities were trained as peer supporters, and they were each allocated to five individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
The following themes that relate to the experiences of the participants of the Thaba ‘Nchu Botshabelo (TNB) Diabetes Peer Support Intervention emerged during data analysis: (1) positive lifestyle changes, (2) continuous support, and (3) improved confidence and a sense of connectedness with other participants
Summary
Diabetes is a global health pandemic that currently affects more than 463 million people. The World Health Organisation has identified peer support as a promising approach, which may assist in the self-management of diabetes (World Health Organization 2007). Informational support relates to sharing information and assimilating new knowledge and skills (Krishnamoorthy et al 2018; Yeung et al 2018), and appraisal support refers to affirming feelings and behaviour (Dennis 2003). Some patients may experience barriers to the self-management of diabetes, such as lack of support. In this respect, peer support has been identified as a promising strategy in the self-management of diabetes
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