Barriers and factors influencing how adults with type 2 diabetes perceive their risk of developing diabetes-related complications: a qualitative study

Blessing M. Chirewa; Mathew Nyashanu; Adam Barnard

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262213

Authors

Blessing M. Chirewa Institute of Health and Allied Professions, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Mathew Nyashanu Institute of Health and Allied Professions, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom
Adam Barnard School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20262213

Keywords:

Barriers, Complications, Constructivist grounded theory, Facilitators, Risk perception, Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Delayed diagnosis and poor management of type 2 diabetes can lead to severe acute and long-term complications, such as early death or disability. Research evidence has shown that without consistent and effective self-management practices, individuals with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of avoidable complications. These self-management practices are mainly influenced by individuals’ perceptions of the risks linked to diabetes complications. Due to poor self-management practices particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is crucial to identify the barriers and enablers that shape patients’ perceptions of their risk of developing complications.

Methods: Twenty-three individuals with type 2 diabetes were purposively and theoretically sampled from purposively selected community pharmacies in Harare, Zimbabwe, between October 2023 and January 2024 and participated in semi-structured interviews.

Results: The analysis of the data revealed that participants perceived risk of complications differently: some perceived a higher risk, while others perceived a lower risk, based on the meanings they ascribed to living with type 2 diabetes. Facilitators to perception of risks of complications were: (i) having personal risk experiences; (ii) information-seeking; and (iii) engaging in health-seeking behaviours. In contrast, barriers to perception of risks of complications were: (i) holding cultural or religious beliefs; (ii) being in denial about the illness; and (iii) lacking knowledge about diabetes.

Conclusions: This study explored the factors shaping patients’ perceptions of risks for developing diabetes-related complications. It offers important insights into risk perception research in resource-constrained environments and assists healthcare providers and policymakers in developing strategies to support those at higher risk of such complications.

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