Factors related to self-management behavior to control blood sugar of patients with type 2 diabetes in Phang Nga Province

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease that is a public health problem worldwide, including in Thailand. This cross-sectional survey research aimed to study factors associated with self-management for behavior modification to control blood sugar among type 2 diabetic patients in Phang-Nga Province. The study sample consisted of 295 patients using a stratified random sampling. Collected data by interview form. Descriptive statistics analyzed data. and test the research hypothesis using chi-square statistics. Data was collected by using a structured interview questionnaire and data analysis was done by computing statistics regarding percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-Square test. 

The results found that most of the samples were 79.0% of female and 21.0% of male. The average age was 60 years and over. The most common period of diabetes mellitus was 15 years or older, 36.9%. The blood sugar level was in the surveillance group (126 -154 mg./dl.), 41.4 percent.  Factors that were statistically significantly related to self-management for blood sugar control were age, occupation, duration of illness, self-efficacy regarding self-management behaviors, and ability to obtain information and advice on actions to control blood sugar from health officials and social support from close family members. Recommendations, the related organizations should organize activities to promote self-efficacy regarding self-management behaviors and promote activities for family members to take part in caring for diabetic patients to encourage patients to have self-management behaviors to control blood sugar levels effectively.