Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Dec 2018)
Self-management knowledge and practice of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Baghdad, Iraq: a qualitative study
Abstract
Ehab Mudher Mikhael,1,2 Mohamed Azmi Hassali,2 Saad Abdulrahman Hussain,3 Nizar Shawky4 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq; 2Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; 3Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Rafidain University College, Baghdad, Iraq; 4Internal Medicine Department, National Diabetes Center, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq Background and aim: Diabetes self-management behaviors are necessary to ensure optimum glycemic control. However, limited data were available regarding the practice of self-management by the Iraqi diabetic patients. This study aims to understand the knowledge, behaviors, and barriers of diabetes self-management among Iraqi type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in addition to their opinions and views toward the diabetes self-management educational program. Methods: A qualitative method approach was used to obtain the data from T2DM patients recruited from the National Diabetes Center, Baghdad, Iraq. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide, and a thematic analysis approach was used to process the data. Results: Most participants agreed to the importance of self-management practices especially healthy eating, exercise, taking medications, and healthy coping with stress to control DM and prevent its complications. Healthy eating and physical activity recommendations were inadequately practiced by most of the participants. Most participants reported irregular self-monitoring of blood glucose. Most of the participants properly adhered to the anti-diabetic medications. They generally lack proper information/knowledge about the importance of self-management practices of foot care and managing diabetes during sick days and how such practices should be implemented. Most participants have positive attitudes toward diabetes self-management practices. Face-to-face educational sessions are preferred by most patients. Conclusion: The Iraqi diabetic patients have inadequate self-management behaviors. The main barrier to self-management practices was the lack of knowledge due to the absence of diabetes self-management educational programs in Iraq. Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, Iraq, self-management behaviors, diabetes self-management educational program
