Abstract
The study of “Self-management, perceived warning signs, risk of complications and management for complication in chronically ill patients (Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension) in Saraburi province” purposed to examine self-management, influential factors and barriers, and experience to manage themselves of chronically ill patients. Furthermore, the perception of warning signs and risks of complications and management for complication in chronically ill patients (Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension) in Saraburi province were explored.
Method: Mixed method design in relation to concurrent pattern was used in this study. Study sample was recruited from 18 health care settings in Saraburi province that were sampling by using multi-stage procedure. Quantitative data was collected in 536 chronically ill patients (Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension) who visited health care settings in Saraburi province. Qualitative data was collected by conducting person focus group with 165 chronically ill patients (Diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension).
Results: Sample included 536 chronically ill patients. The major group was diabetes mellitus with hypertension patients (n=231, 41.09%), hypertension patients (n= 214, 39.93%), and diabetes patients (n= 91, 16.98%). Average age of sample was 60.4 years (SD= 12.13) Maximum age was 94 years and minimum age was 21 years. Average period of suffering from diabetes mellitus was 5.04 years (SD=6.78), and hypertension was 6.29 years (SD=8.13). The majority of the patient was female (n=360, 66.90%). The major of education was primary school (n=392, 73.13%) The number of patient who had or had not family members suffering by chronically illness was not difference (51.87% and 48.19% respectively). The majority of co-morbidity was hyperlipidemia (n=211, 39.37%) The major sample has no complication (n=381, 71.08%) The majority of complication was neuropathy (n=81, 15.11%)
With regard to health behavior, the majority of study sample was no smoking (n=492, 90.49%), no drinking (n=485, 90.49%), eating high fat diet (n=194, 36.19%), eating spicy food (n=179, 33.40%), having lower than 3 meals a day (n=171, 31.30%), drinking tea, coffee and pop more than two cup a day (n=166, 30.97%) and eating frequently (n=137, 25.56%). The majority of patient did not doing exercise (n=320, 59.70%). With regard to patient who performing exercise, these patient did standard exercise (n=61, 28.24%). For the type of exercise, the majority was arm swing (n=63, 29.17%) and walking (n=53, 24.51%), running (n=22, 10.19%) and aerobic exercise (n=10, 4.10%). The majority of sample had ability to care for themselves (n=442, 82.46%). The major group of patient had good social support from family members, friends and health care providers (n=442, 82.46%). The majority of sample had recreation activities and they have religion and family to lead themselves (n=305, 56.90%) and came to visit as appointment (n=521, 97.20%)
