Self-Care and Family Support among People with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of self-care practices, and family support among people with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among outpatients for people with type 2 diabetes, at a teaching hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. We modified the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities, and Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist scales; to measure self-care practices and perceived family support, respectively, so as to better suit the Nepali context. We performed an exploratory factor analysis to identify independent, latent dimensions of family support. Results: We recruited 411 patients (56.9% females), aged between 25 and 92. From these, we found high levels of adherence to daily intakes of the oral hypoglycemic agent (98.2%) and insulin (100.0%), daily physical activity (86.4%) and daily vegetable consumption (78.3%). Respondents commonly reported that they, and their family members ate meals together (98.1%). Family members also suggested things to help them take their medications on time (89.5%) and additionally helped them to decide on changes based on their glucose test results (84.2%). Exploratory factor analysis uncovered three behavior dimensions: nagging and arguing (“authoritarian”), praise and encouragement (“supportive”) and plan-making (“planning”). Conclusion: We presented data on self-care as well as family support among people with type 2 diabetes, tailored to the local context. From the data a high level of medication adherence and daily physical activity was observed. “Eating together” was the most reported family support behavior. We identified three dimensions of family support behaviors, which are potentially helpful for future health promotion programs, and provides a methodological basis for future studies in other low and middle-income countries.