Problems faced by newely diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients at primary health facilities of the Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

In this study, a qualitative, descriptive and contextual research methodology was applied to describe the problems faced by newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients at the primary healthcare facilities of the Mopani district in the greater Giyani municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Purposive sampling was used and phenomenological interviews were held with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients after investigations within the first six months. The data were analyzed using Tesch’s open coding method of data analysis for qualitative research. The findings indicated that newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients faced a number of problems, such as emotional disturbance, fear, anger, denial, frustration, depression, uncertainty, and poor interpersonal relationships with nurses. This study found that lack of support and proper health education for newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus patients demand government intervention, and thus proposes guidelines and recommendations for more effective healthcare practices and education for implementation at primary healthcare facilities.