FACTORS RELATED TO GOOD GLYCEMIC CONTROL AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS: A RURAL COMMUNITY CONTEXT, THAILAND

Abstract

This study aims to determine factors related to good glycemic control among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients living in rural communities. A case-control study was conducted, and data were collected from T2DM patients registered at health promotion hospitals. The sample size calculated required 101 samples for cases and 303 samples for controls. The case and control groups were interviewed using questionnaires and clinical record forms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval (CI), Chi-squared, adjusted odds ratio (AOR), and multiple logistic regressions. The response rate was 100%. Most of the sample was female, age 60 and over, married, had no schooling or primary school level, was still working, had a family caregiver, and used the universal coverage as the welfare scheme. When controlling for other significant factors, this study found the significant factors were drinking coffee with sugar and cream regularly (AOR 0.36, 95% CI 0.19-0.69), taking the number of diabetes drugs indicated at the right dose prescribed by doctors (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.12-3.61) and diabetes control literacy (AOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.32-1.57). Interventions need to be considered to modify these significant factors associated with T2DM patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels for diabetes control literacy, taking drugs at the right dose, and promoting awareness of drinking coffee with sugar and cream regularly as risk factors.