Diabetic Type 2 Patients’ Perceptions Toward Diabetes And Their Diabetic Self Management: Moderating Role Of Eating Behavior

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate how people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus think about, engage in, and overcome barriers to self-care activities (including diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and medication adherence) (T2DM). Diabetes is a long-term disease that happens when the amount of blood sugar, or glucose, in the body is too high. Diet is the most important part of taking care of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).The study was conducted to investigate the diabetic type 2 patients’ perception toward diabetes and diabetic Self management; moderating role of eating behavior. Correlational research design was used to complete the study. Survey was conducted as a method of data collection. The data were gathered from Nishtar Medical Hospital Multan Pakistan, and Combined Military Hospital Multan Pakistan. Permission was taken for the purpose of data collection from these two hospitals. Informed consent was also taken from the participants to participate in the study.       Findings of study reveal that there is positive relationship between illness perceptions toward diabetes, diabetic Self management and eating behavior (healthy behavior). In addition, results disclose that diabetic Self management is significantly predicted in a positive perspective by illness perception toward diabetes.    Furthermore, it was found that eating behavior significantly moderates the relationship of illness perception and diabetic Self management. Similarly, the level of illness perception, healthy eating and diabetic Self management was reported at higher level among females than males. Moreover, married diabetic patients reported lower level of illness perception and diabetic Self management as compared to unmarried. Many factors, including respondents' own lives and their lack of diabetes awareness, were cited as obstacles to self-care among those with diabetes. People with diabetes in Pakistan cited family encouragement and healthcare professional education as two of the most important factors in their ability to manage their condition independently.