Self-Care Experiences of Adults with Chronic Disease in Indonesia: An Integrative Review

Abstract

We conducted a literature review to document what is known regarding the self-care experiences and various influencing factors among adults living with chronic disease in Indonesia, from the perspective of those living with the illness. We searched CINAHL and Google Scholar to identify peer-reviewed research focused on men and/or women living with a chronic disease (the most prevalent) in urban or rural settings in Indonesia. Using a “Self-Care of Chronic Illness” framework as a guide, information on self-care experiences and how various factors influence these experiences, was extracted and synthesized. Nine studies were included (3 quantitative; 6 qualitative). Self-care involves maintaining well-being through different strategies (e.g., foot hygiene, seeking information/care, praying, diet, resting, and simplifying life), following prescribed treatments, and using traditional remedies. Religion sometimes serves as a means for taking care of one’s health (e.g., prayer), or as a source of motivation to self-care, while in other instances, it results in a fatalistic attitude. Which treatments (conventional versus traditional) are sought, it is affected by an understanding of the disease and treatments, which is shaped by beliefs, values, emotions, health literacy, and SES. The literature shows that family, especially women, has a key role in providing support. Community organizations also play an important supportive role, particularly for patients in rural areas. Significant barriers to healthcare include costs and care not being well-adapted to the psychosocial needs and contexts of patients. The literature highlights a disconnection between the self-care experiences and how healthcare and support are delivered. To better support self-care, healthcare professionals should use a personalized approach; however, more research is needed to gain a better understanding of what patients want and expect regarding how religion, beliefs, life circumstances, and the use of alternative therapies should be addressed within the patient-professional dynamic.

Missing In-Center Hemodialysis Sessions among Patients with End Stage Renal Disease in Banda Aceh, Indonesia

“…Higher self-care behavior scores were associated with reduced odds of missing HD sessions, which concurs with the findings from previous studies [33]. Self-care behaviors are important for preventing complications among patients with CKD [34]. Of these self-care behaviors, the associations between missing HD sessions and monitoring and maintaining blood pressure and blood sugar levels were the most distinct.…”

Associations between pediatric asthma and adult non‐communicable diseases

“…These associations were unlikely explained by detection bias, as asthmatics and non-asthmatics were shown to have similar healthcare utilization in Indonesia. 15,16 Previous studies examined associations of pediatric asthma with childhood and adolescent NCDs, including diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseases, 2 but to our knowledge, only one study examined the association between pediatric asthma and adult NCDs, involving coronary heart diseases and stroke, which found the association was not statistically significant. 12 There have been studies on the associations between predominantly adult asthma and NCDs diagnosed in adults, but some did not establish temporality due to their inability to ascertain the ages of asthma and NCD diagnoses, 11,17,18 and few have examined effect of modification by sex.…”

“…In addition, being diagnosed with asthma at 0‐10 years of age was associated with higher risks of being diagnosed with adult hypertension and diabetes, while being diagnosed with asthma at 11‐19 years of age was associated with higher risk of being diagnosed with adult arthritis. These associations were unlikely explained by detection bias, as asthmatics and non‐asthmatics were shown to have similar healthcare utilization in Indonesia 15,16 …”

The Effectiveness of Home-Based Nursing Intervention in the Elderly with Recurrent Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Case Report

“…When the information is not well communicated by the healthcare professional, patients can have different perceptions and draw their own conclusions. 21 In this case, the patient has a misunderstanding of the correct schedule because, according to the patient, nutrition is only included in rice consumption, although he has a snack in the morning that contain carbohydrate but did not think that he must be taking medication. The health education must consider patient perception in such a way that the nurses can give better strategies to delivered information with proper communication techniques.…”