Abstract
BackgroundHealth beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient’s behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between health beliefs and glycated hemoglobin levels in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, and 336 patients were included. Fasting blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol; triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were measured. Body fat percentage, weight, height; waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also obtained. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the health beliefs with regards to non-pharmacological treatment. Health beliefs were classified as positive, neutral, and negative.ResultsThe average age of patients was 54.7 ± 8.5 years, with a higher proportion of females (69%). The questionnaire had a good internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.83. More than 90% of patients attributed a health benefit to diet and exercise, 30 to 40% experienced barriers, and more than 80% had a perception of complications associated to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with positive health beliefs had lower HbA1c levels (8.2 ± 1.7%) compared to those with neutral (9.0 ± 2.3%), or negative (8.8 ± 1.8%; p = 0.042).The LDL-c levels were lower (p = 0.03), and HDL-c levels were higher (0.002) in patients with positive heath beliefs.ConclusionsPositive health beliefs are associated with better metabolic control indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Highlights
Health beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient’s behaviour
The dimensions of the beliefs in health care model include: a) perceived susceptibility for getting sick, b) the severity of the subject’s perception that their physical health can be damaged and their social lives affected, c) the benefits they attribute to the change in behavior to improve their health condition, and, d) the barriers that impede the subject from following certain conduct in the care of their health [8]
The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between health beliefs in diabetes and the glycated hemoglobin levels, lipid profiles, and body weight in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes
Summary
Health beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient’s behaviour. The dimensions of the beliefs in health care model include: a) perceived susceptibility for getting sick, b) the severity of the subject’s perception that their physical health can be damaged and their social lives affected, c) the benefits they attribute to the change in behavior to improve their health condition, and, d) the barriers that impede the subject from following certain conduct in the care of their health [8] According to this theoretical model, the actions for the attention, care, and prevention of the complications of diabetes will depend on the beliefs that the patient attributes to the benefits of care in their illness, to the risks, and to their perception of the severity of their diabetes
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