Diabetics’ Self-Management Needs: Implications to Extension Experts and Health Professionals

Milagros Suyu, C.

Cagayan State University, Andrews Campus, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines

Dr. Milagros Suyu, C., Cagayan State University, Andrews Campus, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines.

Keywords: Diabetes; Self-Management Needs; Extension Experts; Health Workers

Abstract

The Philippines is one of the world’s emerging diabetes hotspots. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the Philippines ranked in the top 15 in the world for diabetes prevalence. Philippines is home to more than 4 million people diagnosed with the disease - and a worryingly large unknown number who are unaware they have diabetes. How a diabetic takes care of his health everyday determines the quality of his existence. The major purpose of the study was to determine the self-management needs of the diabetics to come up with a sound development program that could be implemented by the extension experts in the university, the health-care providers and civic-society organizations. The respondents included all the diabetic patients registered in the Diabetes clinic of a government hospital. Data were gathered through interview schedule. Other pertinent data were taken from the patients’ individual medical chart. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to interpret the data. Results showed that the areas of concern needed by the diabetics are meal planning, self-monitoring of blood sugar, sick day management, exercise, knowledge of high and low blood sugar and foot care. The diabetics expressed their interest to become “managers” in their own care.

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