Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of support provided by family among type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients.
Methods: One hundred of T2D patients were recruited from diabetes clinic of Kaeng khro Hospital, a district hospital in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand. Demographic information and perception of support provided by family members of the patients were obtained by interviewing the patients using a structured questionnaire. Most recent A1C was extracted from the medical record.
Results: Most of the subjects (74%) were females with average age 60 years. Mean duration being diabetes was 7.8 years. Fifty-one percent of the subjects were poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 8%). Family support (FS) was in moderate and high level, 57% and 36% respectively. The highest score of FS was found in dietary control, followed by emotional support. The score of FS for dietary control and emotional support were in high level, 63% and 54% of the subjects respectively. For supportive in exercise, the score was in moderate level, 54%, for adherence to medication, the score was in low level, 58%. Pearson’s correlation analysis did not showed the correlation between FS score and glycemic control .
Conclusions: T2D patients received FS in moderate to high level which less supported for exercise and medication. Half of the patients had high HbA1c. Interventions should inform family members about diabetes and how to control glycemic for helping the diabetic patients in better adherence to the control of diabetes.