Factors influencing diabetes self-management among Omani patients with type-2 diabetes: Patients’ perspectives

Abstract

Background and aim: Management of diabetes requires using different approaches that include self-management in which the patients are the main key players. Diabetes self-management contributes to preventing diabetes-related complications and improving the QOL of patients with diabetes. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing diabetes self-management from the perspectives of the patients with type-2 diabetes in Oman.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured individual interviews was used to conduct this study. A purposive sample of 21 Omani patients with type-2 diabetes were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Content analysis and constant comparison were used to analyze the data.

Results: Eight factors influencing DSM were identified: awareness of diabetes complications and the importance of DSM, ability to adapt, support, fear of consequences, frustration and helplessness, complying with sociocultural norm/ritual, lack of care, and planning.

Conclusions: To improve the quality of diabetes care and decrease the devastating diabetes-related complications, managing diabetes has to take the form of a collaborative approach that put into consideration the factors influencing diabetes self-management that were identified by this study.