A survey of the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients in the rural community of Ga-Dikgale, Limpopo Province

Abstract

Diabetes has been noted globally and nationally as one of the leading causes of mortality. Studies have also shown that this morbid condition has a negative impact on the psychological well-being of those affected. The aim of this study was to survey the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients in Ga-Dikgale community, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to establish the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients at clinics in Ga-Dikgale according to gender and age. Using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Quality of Life Indexes (QoLI), data was collected from 200 diabetic patients from clinics at Ga-Dikgale. The Kruskal-Wallis test results, amongst others, show that there are no statistically significant differences between the genders on the General Health questionnaire, (1) = 1.19, p = 0.22. The study recommends that outcomes of the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients can be improved if health practitioners factor in variances in modifying diabetes education and supportive care for individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes in association with mental health experts to ensure that the psychological well-being of these patients is prioritised. There is also a need to assess the psychological well-being and quality of life of diabetic patients in comparison to non-diabetic patients in rural communities such as Ga-Dikgale