Background Properly understanding the health information of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the basis for better risk factor management, which also positively affects their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate diabetes health literacy (HL), self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors associated with glycemic control among older adults with T2DM in northern Thai communities. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 414 older adults over the age of 60 diagnosed with T2DM. The study was conducted in Phayao Province from January to May 2022. Simple random sampling of the patient list for the Java Health Center Information System program was used. Questionnaires were used to collect data on diabetes HL, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors. Blood samples were tested for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and glycemic controls, such as fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results The mean age of participants was 67.1 years. FBS (mean ± SD = 108.5 ± 29.5 mg/dL) and HbA1c (mean ± SD = 6.6 ± 1.2%) levels were found to be abnormal in 50.5% (≥ 126 mg/dL) and 17.4% (≥ 6.5%) of the subjects, respectively. There was a strong correlation between HL and self-efficacy (r = 0.78), HL and self-care behaviors (r = 0.76), and self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (r = 0.84). The eGFR was significantly correlated with diabetes HL (r = 0.23), self-efficacy (r = 0.14), self-care behaviors (r = 0.16), and HbA1c (r = -0.16) scores. Linear regression after adjusting for sex, age, education, DM duration, smoking, and drinking alcohol showed that FBS level was inversely associated with diabetes HL (Beta = -0.21, R2 = 11.0%), self-efficacy (Beta = -0.43, R2 = 22.2%), and self-care behavior (Beta = -0.35, R2 = 17.8%), whereas HbA1C level was negatively associated with diabetes HL (Beta = -0.52, R2 = 23.8%), self-efficacy (Beta = -0.39, R2 = 19.1%), and self-care behavior (Beta = -0.42, R2 = 20.7%). Conclusion Diabetes HL was related to self-efficacy and self-care behaviors in elderly T2DM patients and was shown to influence their health, including glycemic control. These findings suggest that implementing HL programs to build competence in self-efficacy expectations is important for contributing to improvements in diabetes preventive care behaviors and HbA1c control.

Background: Health perceptions and increased self-care behaviors can effectively prevent and control many diseases and improve one’s health. This study aimed to investigate the association of self-care behaviors with lipid profiles and creatinine among an ethnic minority adult population in Thai rural communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from January to April 2021 among ethnic minorities from hill tribe communities of Phayao Province, Northern Thailand. A total of 252 adults ages 20 and older were recruited from various ethnic groups, including Indigenous (34.5%), Hmong (25.4%), and Mien (40.1%) peoples. The data were obtained from face-to-face interviews using questionnaires and from blood samples. Results: Multiple linear regression revealed that self-care behavior score was associated with ethnicity, age, education, and self-efficacy score (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol level was associated with ethnicity, gender, financial status, drinking alcohol, smoking, and underlying disease (p < 0.05). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was associated with gender, financial status, and drinking alcohol (p < 0.05). Creatinine level was predicted by ethnicity, gender, age, smoking, and self-care behaviors (p < 0.05). Alcohol consumption was found to be a predictor of body mass index and blood pressure (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Health promotion programs for specific populations should emphasize public health benefits (e.g., reducing risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), increasing health awareness and health beliefs for better outcome expectations, and enhancing the ability to perform self-health management routinely) in accordance with the local context of the studied population.

No abstract

Background: Health perceptions and increased self-care behaviors can effectively prevent and control many diseases and improve one’s health. This study aimed to investigate the association of self-care behaviors with lipid profiles and creatinine among an ethnic minority adult population in Thai rural communities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from January to April 2021 among ethnic minorities from hill tribe communities of Phayao Province, Northern Thailand. A total of 252 adults ages 20 and older were recruited from various ethnic groups, including Indigenous (34.5%), Hmong (25.4%), and Mien (40.1%) peoples. The data were obtained from face-to-face interviews using questionnaires and from blood samples. Results: Multiple linear regression revealed that self-care behavior score was associated with ethnicity, age, education, and self-efficacy score (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol level was associated with ethnicity, gender, financial status, drinking alcohol, smoking, and underlying disease (p < 0.05). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was associated with gender, financial status, and drinking alcohol (p < 0.05). Creatinine level was predicted by ethnicity, gender, age, smoking, and self-care behaviors (p < 0.05). Alcohol consumption was found to be a predictor of body mass index and blood pressure (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Health promotion programs for specific populations should emphasize public health benefits (e.g., reducing risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), increasing health awareness and health beliefs for better outcome expectations, and enhancing the ability to perform self-health management routinely) in accordance with the local context of the studied population.

Contraception information and services are the basis of the health and human rights of everyone. Young girls who become pregnant are at greater risk for problems arising from early child deliveries. Contraception in older women likewise results in increased risk. It was found from the particulars of contraception use that the male partner has a great deal of influence, and that the same is true of the perspectives and experiences of the people surrounding his partner, the expectations of her family and her desire for more children. In Thailand, there are ethnic groups of numerous tribes, among whom are the Karen, who make up the largest of any such group. The Karens have a low rate of contraception use and low incomes with reduced resources. Thus, family planning is an important key in reducing their population growth and the impact on their economy, environment and development. The purpose of this study was to explore the determining influence of contraception among minority women in Thailand in the form of descriptive qualitative research. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. The research showed that the use of contraceptive services by Karen women was restricted by the culture, beliefs and social conditions characteristic of their ethnic origin. The husband and extended family influenced their contraceptive decisions. The prevailing belief was that contraception is the duty of women. Some women used herbs for contraception. They had difficulty communicating when receiving contraceptive services. Karen people have little income; so they cannot afford expenses related to contraceptive services requiring them to pay for travel costs. Furthermore, the road conditions make the trip awfully difficult, and their houses are situated far from the hospitals. In conclusion, determining the influence of birth control among minority women in Thailand must be based on their beliefs, society and ability to access health services.