| Aim: This study planned to determine:( 1) the behavioral intention or profile of patientswith type 2
diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on the stages of the change model, and( 2) to explore the perceived
facilitators and barriers of self-management (SM) in a sample of Iranian patients with T2DM.
Methods: This was a mixed method study, accomplished in two phases. In the quantitative
phase, 246 subjects with T2DM participated. They were classified according to items such as
regular use of blood-glucose-lowering drugs, having a healthy diet and performing physical
activity to pre-action and action groups. Socio-demographic and anthropometric information
were collected, and a phenomenological qualitative study was conducted, and data collection
continued until saturation achieved by 10 subjects in pre-action and 12 subjects in action groups.
Four focus group discussions in the field of SMwere accomplished. Analysis of quantitative and
qualitative data was conducted by the SPSS and MAXQDA software, respectively.
Results: The mean age and duration of illness among the subjects were 53.9±7.1 and 6.9
±4.9 years, respectively. The barriers of SM in action and pre-action stages were as follows:
lower socio-economic status, poor performance of treatment team, physical-intellectual
factors and lack of planning to change. The facilitators stated in the pre-action and action
stage in the field of SM were satisfaction from treatment, planning, belief in diabetes,
treatment team’s support, nutritional knowledge, and religious beliefs.
Conclusion: This study indicated facilitator and barrier factors in SM based on TTM in
action and pre-action groups. Healthcare professionals should consider these findings to
improve the patients’ outcomes. |