Health-Seeking Behavior of Self-Reported Diabetics: A Descriptive Study of Self-reported Diabetics Utilizing Public Parks
A Descriptive Study of Self-reported Diabetics Utilizing Public Parks
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62807/jowach.v1i4.2024.12-20Keywords:
healthcare providers, healthcare utilization, public health, Developing Countries, care-seeking behavior, Pediatrics, pediatrics, Pediatric Care, child health, Women and Child Health, maternal health, underfive, neonatalogyAbstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a significant global health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. The prevalence of diabetes among adults in Bangladesh rose from 3.9% in 2010 to 8.3% in 2018, projected to nearly double by 2045. Many diabetics manage their condition outside formal health systems, influenced by their knowledge of the disease, financial resources, and access to services. Exploring their health-seeking behaviors and healthcare networks is crucial but has been underexplored.
Objectives
This study aims to explore the health-seeking behavior, knowledge, and healthcare networks of self-reported diabetics in public parks in Dhaka, with the goal of recommending strategies for improved diabetes management.
Methods
A qualitative exploratory study was conducted in two public parks, targeting self-identified diabetics aged 40 and older. Fifteen in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected self-reported diabetics and park healthcare providers using a semi-structured interview guide. Data was analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach.
Findings
Most participants were men aged 50-60 from high socioeconomic backgrounds, with good knowledge of diabetes risk factors and the need for lifestyle changes. Common risk factors included anxiety, with complications like sexual dysfunction frequently noted. Physicians were the primary information source, while BIRDEM was the preferred healthcare provider due to its reputation and cost-effectiveness. Many participants also utilized homeopathic and herbal treatments, with about one-third reporting complications such as uncontrolled blood sugar and cardiovascular issues. Lifestyle modifications included dietary changes, exercise, medication adherence, and spiritual support. Participants spent over 1,000 takas monthly on diabetes care, mainly accessing services from park providers, who had limited formal training.
Conclusion
This study explored health-seeking behaviors of self-reported diabetics, identifying key barriers such as gender disparities, financial constraints, and reliance on alternative treatments. It highlighted the need for better integration of informal healthcare providers, improved health education, and a more supportive healthcare environment. Further research on anxiety, sexual health, and gender-related barriers could help promote equity in diabetes prevention and management.
References
REFERENCES
World Health Organization. The World Health Report: 2002: Reducing the risks, promoting healthy life. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002. Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42510
World Health Organization. Preventing chronic diseases: a vital investment. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2005.
Roser M, Ritchie H, Spooner F. Burden of disease. Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/burden-of-disease
World Health Organization. Diabetes. 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes fact and figures. Available from: https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-figures/
Moucheraud C, Lenz C, Latkovic M, et al. The costs of diabetes treatment in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMJ Global Health. 2019;4:e001258.
Ahsan KZ, Iqbal A, Jamil K, Haider MM, Khan SH, et al. Socioeconomic disparities in diabetes prevalence and management among the adult population in Bangladesh. PLOS ONE. 2022;17(12):e0279228. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279228
Akhtar S, Nasir JA, Sarwar A, et al. Prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Bangladesh: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2020;10:e036086. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036086
Hossain MB, Khan MN, Oldroyd JC, Rana J, Magliago DJ, et al. Prevalence of, and risk factors for, diabetes and prediabetes in Bangladesh: Evidence from the national survey using a multilevel Poisson regression model with a robust variance. PLOS Global Public Health. 2022;2(6):e0000461.
Jennings HM, Morrison J, Akter K, et al. Care-seeking and managing diabetes in rural Bangladesh: a mixed methods study. BMC Public Health. 2021;21:1445. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11395-3
Tipping G, Segal L. Health seeking behavior in a developing country. J Health Soc Behav. 1995;36(2):169-81.
Zaman MM, et al. Health seeking behavior for diabetes among rural Bangladeshi patients. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2004;64(3):189-98.
Jain AK, et al. Perceptions of care quality among diabetic patients: A study in India. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries. 2006;26(1):19-25.
Mahtab HJ, Chowdhury TA. Gender differences in the utilization of healthcare services among diabetic patients in Bangladesh. Diabetes Care. 2002;25(2):289-90.
Qureshi RA, Shaikh MA. Factors influencing alternative health-seeking behavior among diabetic patients in Karachi, Pakistan. BMC Health Serv Res. 2006;6:83.
Khatun F, Sultana S, Rahman M, et al. Health-seeking behavior and its association with diabetes complications: A study in rural Bangladesh. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2020;14(5):1157-1163. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2020.05.016
Ali L, Baig M, Malik F, et al. The burden of diabetes in the most vulnerable populations: A systematic review in South Asia. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2018;10:27. doi:10.1186/s13098-018-0320-3
Parveen S, Rahman M, Hossain G. Gendered perceptions and health-seeking behavior in Bangladesh: A case study of diabetes care. J Health Psychol. 2021;26(6):836-846. doi:10.1177/13591053211004837
Salway S, Hossain M, Rahman F. Gender and access to healthcare in Bangladesh: A study of diabetes care among women. Int J Public Health. 2017;62(6): 627-635. doi:10.1007/s00038-017-0997-1
Shamsuddin K, Rahman M. Rural healthcare access in Bangladesh: Barriers and opportunities in managing diabetes. Rural Remote Health. 2018;18(3):4254. doi:10.22605/RRH4254
Alam S, Ali M, Sultana N. Socioeconomic status and healthcare access for diabetes patients in Bangladesh. Health Policy Plan. 2019;34(3):198-207. doi:10.1093/heapol/czy112
Hasan A, Rahman M, Hossain D, et al. The impact of socioeconomic status on healthcare access for diabetes in Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome. 2020;12:31. doi:10.1186/s13098-020-00551-7
Islam F, Hasan M. Informal healthcare utilization and its impact on diabetes management in Bangladesh. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2020;5(3):100. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed5030100
Hossain M, Hossain G. Perceptions and stigma surrounding diabetes in Bangladesh: Implications for health-seeking behavior. J Public Health Policy. 2020;41(2):192-206. doi:10.1057/s41271-019-00203-w
Parveen S, Sultana N. Gendered stigma and health-seeking behavior in chronic diseases: A study of diabetes in Bangladesh. J Gender Studies. 2019;28(3):348-360. doi:10.1080/09589236.2019.1577649
Hussain A, Rahim MA, Khan AKA, Ali SMK, Vaaler S. Type 2 diabetes in rural and urban populations: diverse prevalence and associated risk factors in Bangladesh. Diabet Med. 2005;22(7):931-936.
Grace C, Begum R, Subhani S, Kopelman P, Trisha. Prevention of type 2 diabetes in British Bangladeshis: qualitative study of community, religious, and professional perspectives. BMJ. 2008;337
Kahn R, Cooper LA, Delahanty LM. Pathophysiology and management of type 2 diabetes: Perspectives on the role of the nurse. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(5):1211-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.28.5.1211
Funnell MM, Anderson RM, Nambudripad K. Empowering patients with diabetes: The role of the healthcare professional. Diabetes Educ. 2010;36(3):358-67. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721710363572
Rahman MM, Bhowmik BK. Understanding the barriers to diabetes care in Bangladesh: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16:304. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-2933-4
Bowers A, Smith MA. The role of self-efficacy in diabetes management. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(10):2366-71. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc05-0274
Hossain MM, et al. The socio-economic factors influencing diabetes management in Bangladesh. J Diabetes Res. 2015;2015:Article ID 729786. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/729786
O’Brien MA, et al. The role of complementary and alternative medicine in diabetes management. J Complement Integr Med. 2005;2(1):25-34. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2202/1553-3840.1014
Ghosh A, et al. Diabetes care in low and middle-income countries: A focus on Bangladesh. BMC Health Serv Res. 2019;19:143. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-3950-7
Al Arouj M, et al. Recommendation for management of diabetes in Ramadan: An expert panel report. Diabetes Care. 2005;28(9):2288-94. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc05-1220
World Health Organization. Global report on diabetes. 2016. Available from: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/204871/9789241565257_eng.pdf?sequence=1
Chowdhury MAB, Islam M, Rahman J, et al. Diabetes among adults in Bangladesh: changes in prevalence and risk factors between two cross-sectional surveys. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e055044. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055044
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ghulam Mustafa Bughio, Shah Muhammad, Suneel Kumar, Sajid Bashir Soofi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Journal of Women and Child Health (JoWaCH) adheres to the CC BY 4.0 license, which is a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For comprehensive information, we kindly request that you refer to the full license legal code. JoWaCH employs a non-exclusive license agreement for the purpose of open-access publication. In the context of open access publishing, the authors maintain the copyright of their work while also granting the journal the rights to publish and distribute it, while retaining the primary academic use rights. This practice facilitates the optimal use and dissemination of the work, while also guaranteeing proper attribution to the original source. The handling of manuscript content shall be conducted with confidentiality, with the exception of cases involving review processes and investigations related to potential misconduct, plagiarism, and duplicate/redundant or overlapping publications, in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) COPE Guidelines.
JoWaCH is prohibited from disseminating content derived from previously published scientific work without obtaining proper authorization. Obtaining permission from the copyright holder, who may be either the author(s) or the publisher, is necessary in cases where the copyright holder is the publisher, for any work you want to use.
While it is acceptable to use a small amount of a work, obtaining permission from the copyright owners is necessary for a significant extraction.
The use of unmodified or little modified tables, graphs, and artworks (whether they are the user's own work previously published elsewhere or created by another copyright holder) necessitates obtaining permission.
Tables, graphs, charts, and artworks that have been fully redesigned and rebuilt, and include proper reference of the source, do not need obtaining permission.
JoWaCH facilitates unrestricted access to journal material for readers, necessitating the imposition of membership fees. The journal operates on a self-sustaining financial model and does not rely on support from other sources. The procedure of publishing is contingent only upon the financial resources of the publisher. The readers have unrestricted access to the information on the journal website.
