Bidang Kajian : Warga Emas
Pelajar/Pengkaji Oleh: Siti Nur Ain Binti Shamsudin
Alamat Emel: drsitinurainncd20@gmail.com
Tarikh: 29/07/2024
Abstrak Kajian
LEVEL OF DIABETES SELF-CARE PRACTICES AND ITS PREDICTORS AMONG ELDERLY WITH DIABETES IN ELDERLY ACTIVITY CENTRES, SELANGOR
By
SITI NUR AIN BINTI SHAMSUDIN
July 2023
Introduction: Malaysia, like many nations worldwide, is facing an increase in its elderly population due to longer life expectancies. Consequently, the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with ageing, such as diabetes, is on the rise. Diabetes and its complications significantly contribute to the country's disease burden, mortality, and morbidity rates. Effective diabetes self-care practices are critical for maintaining good glycaemic control, reducing the risk of complications, and decreasing hospitalisation rates.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of diabetes self-care practices and their predictors among the elderly with diabetes in Elderly Activity Centres, Selangor.
Methodology: This study used an analytical cross-sectional design, recruiting 309 respondents from a calculated 390 sample size, yielding a 79.2% response rate. The inclusion criteria encompassed individuals aged 60 and above, Malaysian citizens diagnosed with diabetes, and who consented to participate. Respondents were selected through proportionate random sampling from eight elderly activity centres in Selangor. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the validated Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) questionnaire. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes-related profile, comorbidities, psychosocial factors, and functional status, while the dependent variable was diabetes self-care practices. SPSS version 28 was utilised for data analysis, with a p-value set at 0.05. Multiple logistic regression was applied to determine the predictors of diabetes self-care practices.
Results: This study discovered that a slight majority (51.5%) of respondents reported good diabetes self-care practices, with scores ranging from 1.48 to 6.63 and a mean score of 4.07 (SD=1.070). This revealed an overall inclination towards good self-care practices. The key predictors of good diabetes self-care practices, as determined by multiple logistic regression, were increased social support (Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) = 1.206, 95% CI: 1.141-1.274, p<0.001), enhanced self-empowerment (AOR = 1.214, 95% CI: 1.129-1.305, p<0.001), and adherence to a personalised diabetes treatment regimen, specifically insulin therapy (AOR = 2.888, 95% CI: 1.302-6.406, p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study emphasises the significance of social support, self-empowerment, and adherence to diabetes treatment regimens in influencing diabetes self-care practices among Malaysia's elderly. These key factors play a crucial role in promoting good self-care practices. The findings of this study suggest the need for targeted interventions and strategies to enhance these predictors, thereby improving diabetes self-care practices and ultimately improving health outcomes for elderly with diabetes in Malaysia.
Keywords: Diabetes, Self-Care Practices, Elderly, Level of Diabetes Self-care Practices, Predictors