Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Self-management is highly recommended in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus
(T2DM). Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, many restrictions were
imposed, which might have affected the continuum of care and self-management. However,
little is known about how people with T2DM experienced self-management during COVID-19
lockdown within the primary health care (PHC) facilities.
AIM: The study explored and described the self-management challenges of adults with T2DM
in Ekurhuleni PHC facilities amid COVID-19 level 5 and 4 lockdowns.
SETTING: The study was conducted in three community health centres in Ekurhuleni which are
rendering PHC services.
METHODS: A phenomenological, qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was utilised.
Purposive sampling was used to select adult patients with T2DM. Data were collected
telephonically between July 2022 and August 2022 using semi-structured interviews. Inductive
content analysis was used to analyse data.
RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the interviews, namely, uncontrolled blood glucose levels
and financial challenges.
CONCLUSION: The patients with T2DM experienced uncontrolled blood glucose levels and
financial challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown. Guidelines to improve self-management
programmes during restrictions are needed to promote good health during future pandemics
to prevent complications and mortality. The telehealth model can be designed to monitor
chronic patients at home during lockdown as a two-way communication.
CONTRIBUTION: More knowledge and insight into self-management and health promotion of
patients with T2DM was provided by this study. Increased training needs arose for PHC
nurses in managing and monitoring patients.
Description:
DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: Derived data supporting the findings of this study are
available from the corresponding author, S.S.M., on request.
