Hypoglycaemic confidence levels and experiences related to the hypoglycaemia of patients with diabetes: A mixed methods study.

Abstract

This study had three aims: to determine the hypoglycaemic confidence levels of participants, to identify factors affecting hypoglycaemic confidence levels of participants and to assess experiences related to hypoglycaemia of participants. The explanatory-sequential-mixed method was used in this study. The quantitative stage included a sample of 177 people, and the qualitative stage included a sample of 18 people. Data of the study were collected between April and June 2023 with the Hypoglycemic Confidence Level Scale, Personal Information Form and Semi-Structured Interview Form. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used for quantitative data analysis. For the qualitative data analysis, content analysis was performed in the MaxQda program. The scale items are scored between 1 and 4, and an increase in the score obtained from the scale indicates an increase in confidence levels. The mean hypoglycaemic confidence level score of the participants was 3. The data obtained in the qualitative stage were grouped under three main themes: Experiences Related to Hypoglycaemia, Reasons for Experiencing Hypoglycaemia and Managing Hypoglycaemia. Identifying hypoglycaemic confidence levels and hypoglycaemia experiences of patients with diabetes can guide health professionals, especially nurses, in promoting person-centred care interventions. The study discussed the hypoglycaemic confidence levels of diabetic patients and their experiences related to hypoglycaemia. The factors affecting the hypoglycaemic confidence level of the participants were educational status, income status, fear of experiencing hypoglycaemia, ability to self-administer insulin, receiving hypoglycaemia training and frequency of experiencing hypoglycaemia. The results of this study may provide guidance for the development of appropriate prevention and coping strategies for hypoglycaemia. Identifying the experiences of patients with diabetes with hypoglycaemia can guide health professionals, especially nurses, in promoting person-centred care interventions. The Good Reporting of a Mixed Methods Study (GRAMMS) checklist was used for reporting. No patient or public contribution.