Patient-related Factors Associated with type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Control in Peri-Urban Primary Care Setting South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is rising globally. Yet, paucity of data exists on factors associated with its control at primary care level. Aim was to explore patient factors associated with type 2 diabetes control. Objectives were to describe the socio-demographics, proportion of diabetic control and associations between control and factors. Methods: The site was in Daveyton township and eight satellite clinics, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. A cross-sectional descriptive study systematically selected 200 participants by picking every third patient attending review from March to June 2015. A questionnaire covering socio-demographics, diabetes information, physical activities, depressive symptoms, blood pressure, weight, height and glycated hemoglobin was administered by researchers. Microsoft excel, and strata 13 software were used for data capture and analysis. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables with control. Logistic regression was used for binary variables and to compare relationships. P-values of <0.05 was statistically significant. Results and analysis: Good control was 36% (n=72), significantly associated with mean age of 65 (p=0.001), formal housing (p=0.020) or income (p=0.001). Hypertension (p=0.056), normal weight (p=0.056) and physical activities (p=0.059) were not significant. Poor control was 64% (n=128) and significantly associated with younger mean age of 55.66 (p=0.001) and informal housing (p=0.020). Neither good nor poor control was observed with depression, compliance, comorbidities and complications. Conclusion: Older patients were more likely to be controlled compared to younger ones. To improve care, effort should focus on younger patients. Further studies should be conducted on depression and glycaemic control.