Treatment-seeking Behaviour of Diabetes Patients of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh During Lockdown Phase of Covid 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Uncontrolled T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus) has emerged as one of the major risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. The National lockdown has produced various lifestyle and health behaviour changes among diabetic patients. Aim: The present study was done to assess the treatment-seeking behaviour of diabetic patients during the lockdown phase of the Covid 19 pandemic in Meerut city. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done by using a predesigned, pre-validated online questionnaire. The study was conducted among conveniently selected 190 follow up T2DM patients from urban and rural health practice area of the community medicine department of a private medical college of Meerut, U.P. Simple descriptive tables and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: During the lockdown phase, 110(57.9%) patients decreased physical activity whereas 68 (35.8%) patients did not follow dietary restrictions However, 159 (83.7%) of the patients were taking pharmacological treatment regularly. There was a significant association between the regularity of treatment and variables like education, occupation, total monthly income, residence, cost of treatment and blood test frequency. The diabetic patients faced the problem of the availability of physicians for consultation (38.9%) during the lockdown. Conclusion: The lockdown did not have much adverse effect on the regularity of treatment. The regularity of treatment was significantly associated with a sociodemographic profile and health awareness of diabetes patients. The patients had problems in following maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the lockdown. The patients had problems in assessing affordable healthcare during the lockdown.