Modelling of diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study with an Australian sample

Abstract

BackgroundQuality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of wellbeing for people with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, making it a noteworthy outcome. Knowledge about diabetes, attitudes, and self-management of diabetes are key factors that might directly or indirectly impact QoL. However, little is known about the inter-relationships between diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management and QoL among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to examine a model describing the relationship between diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and QoL of people with T2DM that is based on previous research linking pairs of these variables.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was employed in this research. A total of 291 participants, 192 males and 99 females, with T2DM, whose mean age was 55.8 (standard deviation = 11.09) completed questionnaires measuring diabetes knowledge (Diabetes Knowledge Scale), attitudes (Diabetes Integration Scale -19), self-management (Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Scale), including the aspects of diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, and foot care, and QoL (Diabetes Quality of Life Scale), comprising the aspects of satisfaction and impact on QoL respectively. To examine the model we proposed relating these variables, data were analysed using the path analysis.ResultsIn the final model, diabetes knowledge was a significant predictor for attitudes and self-management in terms of blood glucose testing. Attitudes was a significant predictor for self-management in terms of diet. In addition, self-management in terms of blood glucose testing was a significant predictor of impact of QoL, and self-management in terms of diet was a significant predictor of satisfaction and impact of QoL. Self-management in terms of exercise was a significant predictor of satisfaction in QoL. The final model reflected a good fit (χ2 (14) = 22.52, p = 0.069; CFI = 0.983; GFI = 0.983; RMSEA = 0.046).ConclusionsDiabetes knowledge, attitudes, and self-management are important factors that can impact the QoL among people with type 2 diabetes.

Correlation of quality of life with the knowledge and attitude of diabetic elderly

“…24 A research performed in Criciuma-SC found that the higher the positive attitude of confrontation of the disease, greater the QL in the physical domain (p<0.05), 10 consistent with this research. However, for the elderly have better attitude related to treatment, the family support is essential.…”

Factors associated with glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic literature review

“…A qualitative study by Ong, Chua, and Ng () suggested that poor diabetes‐related knowledge was reported to have a strong relationship with a low level of education and older adults. Subsequently, research has indicated a significant association ( p < 0.01) between poor diabetic knowledge and poor glycaemic control (Kueh, Morris, Borkoles, & Shee, ; Shams, Amjad, Seetlani, & Ahmed, ; Worku, Abebe, & Wassie, ). Furthermore, three qualitative studies indicated that that poor diabetes‐related knowledge leads to poor adherence to diabetes self‐management steps, such as following medication protocols and self‐monitoring blood glucose (Al‐Qazaz, Hassali, Shafie, Sulaiman, & Sundram, ; Barbara & Krass, ; Ong et al, ).…”

Factors associated with self‐management among Vietnamese adults with type 2 diabetes

“…This means that when adults with T2DM have more diabetes knowledge, they are more likely to perform DSM in better ways for their health. This findings is consistent with findings from previous studies (Asmamaw et al., 2015; Kueh et al., 2015; van der Heide et al., 2014; Yang et al., 2016) and SCT (Bandura, 2004). To enhance the likelihood of DSM being practised among adults with T2DM in Vietnam, healthcare professionals need to advise their clients of the importance of monitoring their blood glucose levels and the meaning of A1C (Yang et al., 2016).…”