Lay beliefs of type 2 diabetic patients at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Durban

Abstract

Aim & Objectives Aim: To explore the lay beliefs of type 2 diabetic patients seen at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Objectives: To understand lay beliefs of effective life long management of type 2 diabetes patients and consequently to make recommendations of improving management of diabetes in conjunction with the findings of the study. Methodology Study Design: An exploratory study from a qualitative perspective using free attitude interviews as a data collection technique. Setting: Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital a district hospital located in Umlazi in the outskirts of Durban, South Africa. Study Population: All type 2 diabetic patients above the age of 40 on treatment for 18 months or more. Ten respondents were purposively selected using maximum variation sampling strategy. Participants were asked individually to give an account of their beliefs and experience in the management of diabetes. All interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed to identify emerging themes. Results The interpretative thematic analysis generated the following main themes: 1) Combination therapy 2) Modern versus Traditional 3) The bitter stuff 4) Traditional healers and alternative remedies viii 5) Stress: Physical, financial, emotional, psychosocial strain 6) Spiritual believes: Religious and Traditional 7) Eating right food and loose weight Conclusions This study has described most lay beliefs about the management of type 2 diabetes in this setting. The research has identified that type 2 diabetic patients seen at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi South of Durban held different diabetes management beliefs based on their respective initial symptom perception and beliefs, their illness origin and healing beliefs, their spiritual and traditional beliefs and values and to a significant extent, the beliefs of spouses or life partner in couples and of family members. These findings have challenged the functionality of the health care in its capacity to respond to the population expectations based on their ethnic, spiritual and cultural background.