Predicting diabetic self-care management based on the theory of planned behavior among elderly with type 2 diabetes in Thailand

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes, especially in the elderly, continues to plague the world. Thailand – a developing country – is not immune to these ravage effects and their distressing upsurge in health and economic societal burdens. Self-care management is an essential strategy to prevent complications and reduce type 2 diabetes complications. AIM: This study aimed to examine the treatment outcome and factors predicting diabetes self-care behaviors among elderly in Thailand. METHODS: A cross-sectional correlative predictive design using multiple linear regression models to evaluate data in elderly type 2 diabetics in Thailand (August through December 2017) to assess perceived behavioral control on diabetic self-care management. One hundred thirty-four participant’s data were collected via questionnaire along with individual health records becoming the foundation of this study. RESULTS: Most patients controlled glycemic outcome (77.9 %) through self-care behaviors at moderate rates (majority – 55.9%). Subjective norms and perceived control strongly correlated with behavioral intention and self-care behaviors. Perceived behavioral control was the most important factor predicting intentions (β 4.025, p < .01) and self-care management behavior (β15.258, p < .001). Patients responding to items regarding self-care behavior for diet, exercise and medication adherence showed favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: More than half of the patients had moderate levels in self-care management and the majority had good glycemic outcomes. From the analysis, we find that perceived behavioral control is critical to predicting behavioral intention and diabetic self-care behavior among the elderly.