Abstract
BackgroundIn South Africa with one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa despite the demographic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Self-management is challenging for all those with the condition but is likely to create a higher demand for those who may have existing co-morbidities associated with age, and long-standing chronic diseases.ObjectiveTo determine the relationship of social support, especially that of family and friends with their self-management.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Cape Town metropole primary care clinics. The sample comprised 406 people drawn from four community health centres (CHC) that are served by Groote Schuur Hospital at the tertiary level.ResultsOf the 406 participants, 68.5% were females, 60.5% were living with a family member, and almost half were married. The mean duration of diabetes from diagnosis was eight years. More than half (57.4%) had no or only primary education. Half the participants (50.2%) had poor knowledge level in relation to symptoms and complications of diabetes. Multivariable linear regression showed older age was associated with poor knowledge (®: -1.893, 95% CI-3.754; -0.031) and higher income was associated with self-management practice (®: 3.434, 95% CI 0.797; 6.070). Most participants received family support to follow aspects of diabetes self-management. The ordinal logistic regression indicated that family support was positively associated with the self-management practice score for following a diabetic meal plan, taking care of feet, physical activity, testing blood sugar and handling participants’ feelings about being diabetic, but not for taking medication.ConclusionsConsideration needs to be given to developing and testing education programmes that focus on needs of older people with diabetes and emphases the role of family and friends.
Highlights
Population ageing has been accompanied by a shift in disease profile to non-communicable diseases (NCD), increased levels of disability, and an increasing loss of physical and cognitive functioning
Consideration needs to be given to developing and testing education programmes that focus on needs of older people with diabetes and emphases the role of family and friends
As a result of the changing in legislation via the Social Assistance Amendment Act, 6 of 2008, South Africa aligned itself with the United Nations definition of the ‘older persons’ as all persons over the age of 60 years. [1,2] South Africa has one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa despite the demographic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Summary
In South Africa with one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa despite the demographic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Self-management is challenging for all those with the condition but is likely to create a higher demand for those who may have existing co-morbidities associated with age, and long-standing chronic diseases
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