Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Oct 2024)
Social Support for Thai Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Case–Control Study
Abstract
Thin Nyein Nyein Aung,1,2 Ei Thinzar Khin,3 Saiyud Moolphate,4 Chaisiri Angkurawaranon,1,2 Motoyuki Yuasa,5,6 Myo Nyein Aung5– 7 1Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; 2Global Health and Chronic Conditions Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand; 3Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; 4Department of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Chiang Mai, 50300, Thailand; 5Department of Global Health Research, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; 6Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; 7Advanced Research Institute for Health Sciences, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, JapanCorrespondence: Myo Nyein Aung, Email [email protected]: Non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), are the number one cause of death in Thailand. With its well-known social networking and strong kinship, evidence of social support may be a potential of low-cost approach for T2DM self- management. Social support is quite important for T2DM prevention and control but such evidence in Thai setting is still limited. Therefore, we aimed to study social support and associated determinants for T2DM patients compared to non-diabetes people.Methods: An observational study with a case–control study design was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2019– 2020. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 300 participants: 150 cases, 150 controls were recruited. Participants were selected based on outcome status of having “T2DM”. Cases were defined as newly diagnosed (diagnosis of T2DM within 6 months) adult Thai residents and community controls were non-diabetes participants from the same residential area of cases. Data were analyzed by STATA 17. Descriptive analysis compared the characteristics between case and control group. The relation between social support and T2DM was investigated using multivariable Robust regression analysis.Results: About 96.7% of T2DM patients had good social support. T2DM had a significant association with social support in all models defined by potential confounders. Social support was significantly positively associated with having family mealtimes in model 2 and model 3 and increasing age in model 2. BMI and T2DM family history had significant negative association in model 2 and model 3.Conclusion: Social support of Thai T2DM patients is higher than control group. It can either be originated from a newly acquired peer groups network or from the positive social support by family. Future research should focus on behavioral intervention including family and peers to help them understand their role in life-style modification and management of such a prevalent chronic disease.Keywords: diabetes, family, global health, NCDs, social support, Thailand
