Coping Obstacles among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Management of diabetes requires a complex treatment plan and lifestyle changes to enhance patient adherence toward treatment. However, in patients with type-2 diabetes, living with the disease faces various obstacles. If these obstacles are not recognized, noncompliance with recommended self-care treatments and complications may occur as a result. Aim: To determine the coping obstacles among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was conducted at diabetic outpatient clinics affiliated to El Mahalla El Kubra general hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 570 patients were included and data collected by interviewing questionnaire to assess socio-demographic, clinical data and diabetes obstacles questionnaire for 5 months from beginning of October 2021 to end of February 2022. Results: The studied subjects had obstacles with medications subscales, self-monitoring, and knowledge & believe, diagnosis, life style and coping subscales with mean score 5.17± 6. 09, 3.53± 3.47, 5.03± 4.76, 4.38± 5.18, 3.44± 5.66 and 4.14± 3.69 respectively. On the other side, the studied subjects didn't experience obstacles in receiving guidance or supporting and relationship with health care sub-scales with mean scores -5.08± 7.10 and -2.73± 6.02 respectively. Conclusion: There are several obstacles faced by patients with type 2 diabetes, the total mean scores of the obstacles were influenced by educational level, occupational status, smoking habit, follow-up, practicing exercises, dietary compliance, diabetes complications, and duration of disease. Recommendation: Expanding in the application of the educational programs for diabetic patients which include health information and practical skills to cope with their disease and lifestyle changes.