Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a difficult chronic condition associated with morbidity, mortality and loss of quality of life. In Sub-Saharan African countries, HBC (Home-Based Carers) play an important role in the care of people diagnosed with chronic illnesses like diabetes. However, home-based carers seem to lack knowledge to care of people with diabetes because they have not been not formally trained. The aim of this study is to explore and describe the practices, knowledge and learning needs of Home-Based Carers (HBCs) of people with diabetes. A qualitative explorative approach was taken, holding interviews with 15 HBCs at the 4 clinics in the Ga-Dikgale village. The purposive sampling method was used to select participants for this study. Four themes are described: activities performed by HBCs during the care of diabetes patients, existing structures and sources of information for HBCs on the management of diabetic patients, challenges experienced by HBCs during the provision of care to diabetes patients and the learning needs of HBCs, based on how they want their training to be organised. HBCs execute various activities during the care of PWD (patients with diabetes) including providing nutritional advice, medication support, helping with household chores, accompanying patients to healthcare services and dressing their wounds. However, they lack knowledge of issues related to the care of PWD, which makes their role very difficult and challenging.
Highlights
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the four major types of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that can lead to complications and increase the risk of premature death (WHO, 2016)
Four themes are described: activities performed by Home-Based Carers (HBCs) during the care of diabetes patients, existing structures and sources of information for HBCs on the management of diabetic patients, challenges experienced by HBCs during the provision of care to diabetes patients and the learning needs of HBCs, based on how they want their training to be organised
To prepare the development of a training programme on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) for HBCs, this study explores and describe the experiences and the training needs of HBCs who care for PLWD in the Ga- Dikgale village, a rural area in South Africa
Summary
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the four major types of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that can lead to complications and increase the risk of premature death (WHO, 2016). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a serious chronic disease associated with morbidity, mortality and loss of quality of life and it constitutes a significant health problem (Muchiri, Gericke, & Rheeder, 2009; Hughes, Puoane, & Bradley, 2014). NCDs, including T2DM are a significant and growing global public problem, affecting all countries and people, irrespective of income. The prevalence of DM in 2014 was 8, 5 % in the adult population globally, compared with 4.7% in 1980 (WHO, 2016). The prevalence has increased faster in low-and middle-income countries
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