Table 3 Assessment of patients’ attitude to diabetes
Questions | SD n (%) | DA n (%) | DK n (%) | AG n (%) | SA n (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I want to live long, so I take my drugs regularly | 1(0.5) | 0(0) | 0(0) | 18(9.6) | 169(89.9) |
It is not important to have a personal glucometer since I can check my blood glucose on hospital appointment days | 85(45.2) | 10(5.3) | 0(0) | 22(11.7) | 71(37.8) |
I always keep a personal record of my glucose readings | 35(18.6) | 25(13.3) | 0(0) | 25(13.3) | 103(54.8) |
Diabetes has reduced my dignity (self-worth); I am no longer who I used to be | 81(43.1) | 41(21.8) | 0(0) | 23(12.2) | 43(22.9) |
The medications for my disease are overwhelming; it is difficult to take it daily | 74(39.4) | 49(26.1) | 0(0) | 21(11.2) | 44(23.4) |
I am ashamed of this diabetes | 74(39.4) | 47(25.0) | 0(0) | 24(12.8) | 43(22.9) |
I stop taking my drugs whenever I get tired of taking it | 78(41.5) | 44(23.4) | 0(0) | 15(8.0) | 51(27.1) |
I really don’t think that taking my drugs regularly will improve my health | 76(40.4) | 45(23.9) | 0(0) | 17(9.0) | 50(26.6) |
What will be will be, irrespective of how much I follow health practitioners’ instructions about this diabetes | 73(38.8) | 47(25.0) | 0(0) | 10(5.3) | 58(30.9) |
I don’t have to bother myself about regular exercise to improve my health | 84(44.7) | 39(20.7) | 0(0) | 21(11.2) | 44(23.4) |
I prefer to use herbal drugs rather than the prescribed drugs for my diabetes | 78(41.5) | 46(24.5) | 1(0.5) | 13(6.9) | 50(26.6) |
I take “bitters” (e.g., Alomo®, FIJK®, Ruzu®, Swedish® and Yoyo® bitters) to lower my blood glucose | 78(41.5) | 50(26.6) | 0(0) | 8(4.3) | 52(27.7) |
I take my “bitters” (e.g., Alomo®, FIJK®, Ruzu®, Swedish® and Yoyo® bitters) and my diabetes drugs | 83(44.1) | 45(23.9) | 0(0) | 8(4.3) | 52(27.7) |
I believe water therapy works better than drugs for my diabetes | 87(46.3) | 34(18.1) | 0(0) | 11(5.9) | 56(29.8) |
Diabetes attitude score categories | |||||
Poor (0–49.9%) | 2(1.1) | ||||
Fair (50–69.9%) | 7(3.7) | ||||
Good (70–89.9%) | 53(28.2) | ||||
Excellent (90–100%) | 126(67.0) |