Abstract

Background: With recent affluence, Oman has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of Omani nationals with type 2 diabetes. Most national studies have focused on quantifying the magnitude of the problem, and issues related to co-morbidity. The purpose of this study was to explore the health beliefs associated with diabetes self-management among adult Omani patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This study employed the Health Belief Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework. A structured open-ended interview question guide was developed based on the constructs of the HBM and based on literature regarding various factors associated with diabetes management. The study was conducted in seven conveniently selected Primary Health Care (PHC) centers in the Muscat Governorate. In total 29 patients with type 2 diabetes were invited at convenience, while visiting the centers for regular follow ups, to participate and were interviewed based on written consents.
Results: Applying the HBM with this group of patients indicated to six factors as barriers to diabetes self-care: (1) cost of self-monitoring for blood glucose level, (2) social interactions, (3) negative feelings associated with living with the disease, (4) lack of accurate practical and culturally-sensitive health education about diet and exercise, (5) fatalism, and (6) low self-efficacy. Diabetes self-management education was not valued and a large number (19/29) did not actively seek information about diabetes.
Conclusion: The findings here point to the urgent need for a culturally appropriate diabetes education program with respected to the health beliefs indicated here.