“Failure to control blood sugar” experiences of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the experiences of persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus having poor glycemic control. Methods: A narrative qualitative study was conducted. Eight participants were recruited at a hospital’s primary care unit (PCU) in northeastern Thailand from October to December 2021. The data was collected using in-depth interviews, field notes, and non-participatory observation. It was then analyzed based on the thematic analysis guide of Braun & Clarke (2006). Results: The results revealed four main themes and eight sub-themes: lifestyle practice (inappropriate eating behaviors, taking diabetes drugs irregularly, exercising irregularly); perception of self-care (misperceptions about self-care practices, diabetes was a genetic disease and therefore had to be accepted); awareness regarding complications (not being aware of glycemic control, issues with social gatherings); stress from socioeconomic issues (feeling stressed in daily life). Conclusions: It is the role of healthcare professionals to stress the importance of healthy behaviors to improve glycemic control in terms of diet, exercise, medication use, perception, awareness, culture, and beliefs. The study results could aid healthcare providers in developing innovations in nursing care or interventions to change unhealthy behaviors.

Keywords

• Diabetes mellitus
• Glycemic control
• Qualitative research
• Thailand