Self-management Effectiveness on the Quality of Life of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a comorbid factor with a double risk of increased morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. Therefore, diabetic patients need to prevent COVID-19 seriously. However, they also need to regularly check their condition in health care services, such as hospitals and community health centers, making them more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection. One factor playing a significant role in controlling diabetes is self-management. Self-management activities can increase independence in caring for and controlling the health of diabetic patients. Then, it also enhances self-efficacy to improve the quality of life among diabetic patients. This study aimed to examine the effect of self-management on quality of life among patients with type 2 DM. Method: Fifty patients with type 2 DM consented to participate in the study. The patients were assigned to either the control group receiving standard care or the experimental group receiving standard care and self-management. The program was constructed using Kanfer’s three self-management steps, including self-monitoring, self-assessment, and self-reinforcement. The effect of the intervention was measured by the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), consisting of 26 statement items on a 5-point Likert scale and a self-management intervention evaluation checklist. Data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the pre and post-intervention in the experimental group's quality of life of type 2 DM patients (p=0.000 and α = 0.01). Conclusion: This study found that self-management effectively increases the quality of life among diabetic patients. The health care providers, especially the nurses interested in community and family health nursing, are suggested to improve the self-management of diabetic patients to prevent complications and improve the quality of life of the patients.