Living with Diabetes Mellitus type 2 : a qualitative research study

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the fastest-growing health problems in the world. The WHO estimates that there are around 333 million people worldwide diagnosed with diabetes. In Malta, in 2015, 13.9% of the population were diagnosed with the disease. Studies reveal that although knowledge about the disease has improved the prevalence has increased. People with diabetes have a risk of developing complications such as heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and leg or foot amputations. But are the Maltese people aware of these consequences? How do they perceive this condition? What social factors condition the self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D)? Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 is found in children and young adults due to the pancreas not producing the hormone insulin that regulates blood glucose for energy, while Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, occurs in older adults and is due to the inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to regulate glucose in the blood. Managing the condition is not easy as one must consume a diet low in carbohydrates, proteins, good fats, vegetables, and fruit, and perform daily exercise to burn off glucose. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven participants, two of which were expert interviews with a professor in endocrinology and another with a prominent diabetologist. From the qualitative study done with these eleven participants, it transpired that culture has a major influence on the self-management of T2D. This is because, society has a great influence on the lifestyle that we choose, and our food is by no means no exception. This study analyses the daily struggles that these people face trying to make life-style changes to control their condition for a healthier well-being. Since this is embedded in the society and the culture that they have been living in, iv making dietary changes, and adapting to a lifestyle of increased exercise (if ever there was one), needs a lot of support, motivation, and will-power which has an impact on the society that one lives in. Maltese people are hard- working and performing physical activity after a day’s work is not in our nature. People who are accustomed to physical exercise from an early age such as playing football, basketball, and other sports, have better self-efficacy and motivation to commit to daily exercise, preventing comorbidities associated with T2D. Social capital is an important factor that helps patients to feel confident with their general practitioner (GP) and their health care provider (HCP) gaining support when necessary.