Quality of care for type 2 diabetes in Jordan: A national study

Abstract

The present study aimed to describe the quality of healthcare delivered to patients with type 2 diabetes in Jordan in 2017. Another objective was to identify the factors related to glycemic control and hospital admission due to type 2 diabetes. This was a national population-based household study. Aspects of care quality were evaluated in relation to outcomes, such as glycemic control [hemoglobin A1c; glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level <7%] and hospital admission owing to diabetes. A total of 754 patients previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and aged ≥25 years were recruited. The number of annual visits was >10 for 48.5% and 1-4 for 38.2% of patients. The proportion of patients achieving glycemic control was 33.0%. In total, 4 of 5 patients reported easy access to health facilities and good health team support. Foot and eye examinations were performed for 24.9 and 55.0% of the patients, respectively. Dietary advice was delivered to 87.5% of the patients. Glycemic control exhibited a significant inverse association with the duration of diabetes and the number of annual visits. Following a specific diet for managing diabetes and the cessation of medication after an improved well-being were independently associated with a higher likelihood of glycemic control (HbA1c <7%). On the whole, the present study demonstrates that a number of indicators for the quality of diabetes care in Jordan were relatively satisfactory; however, others require improvement. The findings demonstrate that numerous patients with diabetes in Jordan require education about the treatment and management of, and complications associated with diabetes, especially those who are recently diagnosed.