Perspectives of Persons With Type 2 Diabetes Toward Diabetes Self-Management: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background. The global increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) poses a significant public health challenge worldwide. Due to the chronic and complex nature of the disease, management does not depend on pharmacotherapy alone; rather, a comprehensive medical and self-management plan is required. Diabetes Self-Management Education programs should address diabetes-specific behaviors and be grounded in patients’ perceptions of their disease and its consequences. Aim. The study aims to understand perceptions of diabetes self-management (DSM) among persons of different nationalities with T2D living in Qatar. Method. A phenomenological qualitative study was implemented using four focus group interviews using Triandis Interpersonal Behavior Model to understand factors influencing DSM perceptions and behaviors. Therefore, deductive content analysis was used, also inductive content analysis used to find new emerging themes. Twenty-nine participants with T2D of 12 different nationalities were recruited. Results. Content analyses revealed that participants were mainly motivated to manage their diabetes by fear of future health complications—and the resulting impact on their families—triggered by witnessing these complications on other family members and friends. Factors that influenced DSM included cultural factors such as food content and holidays’ customs, weather conditions, psychological distress, and social factors such as lack of family support. Furthermore, access to healthy food, number of working hours and time, and cost of DSM supplies were found to be among the barriers to DSM. Conclusion. Understanding and considering patients’ perspectives is a core component of culturally competent and evidence-based DSM programs, and it should be considered in any DSM program.