Self-Care Behavior of Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to explore the experiences and perceptions of type 2 diabetes patients with symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) in managing their self-care behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenological approach reveals diabetes self-care behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual interviews were conducted at the participants’ homes with a semi-structured interview guide on twelve type 2 diabetes patients. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: A total of five themes were identified from the interview analysis, namely: 1) Perception of diabetes self-management; 2) Efforts to control blood sugar; 3) Barriers to blood sugar control; 4) Perceived disturbance; 5) Social support. Since its emergence, the Covid-19 pandemic has become a new obstacle in controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients. In addition to the covid-19 pandemic, negative spiritual coping, low self-motivation, and perceived physical effects are inhibiting factors for blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes patients with symptoms of DPN. Conclusions: Obstacles in efforts to control blood glucose in type 2 diabetes patients with symptoms of DPN include physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. The suggestion in this study is that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to adjust and modify diabetes self-management for patients with DPN symptoms. The interventions provided should not only focus on the physical aspect but also need holistic attention to the psychosocial and spiritual aspects simultaneously by involving family participation in the management of the patient’s diabetes.