Experiences of people living with diabetes in Quthing

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus constitutes a significant and escalating global health challenge, necessitating a comprehensive investigation into the experiences of individuals grappling with this chronic condition. The diagnosis of diabetes presents a multifaceted challenge for patients, encompassing physiological, psychological, and socio-economic dimensions that warrant in-depth exploration. In Lesotho, a paramount concern revolves around the suboptimal adherence to recommended self-care practices among individuals living with diabetes, coupled with a noticeable gap in comprehensive knowledge pertaining to effective self-management strategies. The study objectives were to determine whether living with diabetes was a biographical disruption to people living with it and to explore the health seeking behaviour of people living with diabetes. The study employed a qualitative research approach and used a case study design to explore the experiences of people living with diabetes. The study population was males and females living with diabetes and residing in Quthing aged forty years and above. A sample of 15 people who had been diagnosed with diabetes for at least two years was selected purposefully with the aid of snowball sampling. An interview guide was used in the semi-structured interviews that were then transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the study findings. The study’s results show that living with diabetes complicated participants’ lives, as they had to adjust their lifestyles after diagnosis. The results also revealed that participants sought medical help because of knowledge of the disease, presence and severity of symptoms of the condition. Adherence, compliance, complementary and alternativemedicines were also reported to be amongst approaches used in diabetes management. Participants indicated that they managed diabetes using oral medication and insulin injection while also complementing them with lifestyle modifications such as diet adjustment and physical activities. The study concludes that the diagnosis of diabetes emerged as a significant biographical disruption, demanding adjustments to daily routines, lifestyles, and self- perceptions. Participants demonstrated a multifaceted interplay of factors influencing their health-seeking behaviours, incorporating disease knowledge, symptompresentation, and perceived severity, all of which collectively shaped their decisions to seek medical care and engage with healthcare providers in the management of the condition. Adherence to prescribed treatments and compliance with medical advice reflected the assorted strategies taken by individuals in their pursuit of glycaemic control and overall well-being.