Family Support and Diabetes: Patient's Experiences From a Public Hospital in Peru.

M Amalia Pesantes,Katty Manrique,Pilar Cornejo,Adela Del Valle,Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz,Antonio Trujillo,Francisco Diez-Canseco,Jill Portocarrero,J Jaime Miranda

doi:10.1177/1049732318784906

Abstract

Family support is crucial for managing chronic conditions but it is often overlooked when designing behavioral interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As part of the formative phase of a feasibility randomized control trial (RCT), we conducted 20 semistructured interviews with people with T2DM from Lima, Peru. Based on such results, we describe the support people with T2DM receive from their families and the role that such support has in their efforts to implement diabetes management practices. We learned that participants receive support from family members, but mostly from their spouses and children. Their relatives encourage them and motivate them to fight for their health, they also provide instrumental support by preparing healthy meals, reminding them to take medications, and sharing physical activity. Participants also reported controlling actions which were not always “well received.” Thus, any intervention supporting self-management practices need to work with key family members. We support the literature that suggests that interventions should target family members to ensure improved T2DM self-management practices.

Highlights

In low-middle income countries (LMIC) like Peru, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major challenge for the public health system and the people affected by it
One participant reported living with their parent, one reported living with an extended family member, and one participant lived with an underage grandchild
The forms of assistance can vary from encouraging self-management practices to social control expressed as restricting the patients’ actions that are contrary to doctor’s prescriptions

Summary

Introduction

In low-middle income countries (LMIC) like Peru, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major challenge for the public health system and the people affected by it. Self-management practices are crucial for T2DM management. Self-management practices are largely determined by the context in which they occur (Mayberry & Osborn, 2012) and family environments are crucial for helping or undermining self-management practices (Beanlands et al, 2005). Support has a major impact on a patient’s ability to self-manage their chronic condition (Beanlands et al, 2005; Jennings, 1999). Friends and families can promote good health by influencing a person’s daily behavior, and the loss or reduction of such support can have negative health effects (Black, Maitland, Hilbers, & Orinuela, 2016)

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Discussion

Conclusion