Quantitative Study on Diabetes - Thesis Example

? Diabetes is becoming epidemic and is a global concern. According to World Health Organization (WHO) report, the number of people with diabetes is rising sharply in recent years. The report found that from the year 2011, the number of people affected with diabetes numbered about 346 million worldwide (WHO 2011). In Australia, quantities of those affected with diabetes have been increasing too. In 2010, 3% of the Australian population, or approximately 700,000 persons, succumbed to diabetes. This study, in particular, focussed on Lebanese-Australian immigrants living in Sydney for a number of years. As a consequence of changed dietary patterns from that of their native land/culture, they too have become more prone to contracting diabetes (Abou-Daoud, 1969). The participants are mainly the elderly who have either recently or for a lifetime been diagnosed with diabetes. Here, one evaluates their socio-economic backgrounds, eating and drinking habits, exercise regimes, predominant diabetic symptoms manifested and medical complications in an effort to understand this disease in this cross section of the population. Also through this assessment, one discovers the detrimental effects on diabetes not only on the biological functions, but also in the social realm: family, work and leisure. (Zalloua, 2003) reiterates the economic, cultural, and social impacts of diabetes on the person, family, relations, and the community. These findings are based on self-reported questionnaires. As the results surfaced, significant associations and trends in their social, health and dietary patterns are discerned. The morbidity of diabetes is reinforced as the gerontological complaints compound the ailments related to it. It is hoped that this case study would shed light into the general practices of this at-risk diabetic population and therefore, aid in designing tailor-made interventions and solutions to remedy some of the ills befalling this group. CHAPTER ONE Findings on Diet and Lifestyle 1.1 Socio-demographic Background of Participants A total of 200 diabetic participants from the Australian Lebanese community are approached to take the lifestyle survey and questionnaire regarding diabetes. Male participants number 157 (n=157) or 78.5% of respondents. Respondents’ age bracket ranges from 41-55 years. 44% are over the age of 50 with the mean age standing at 48.5 years. 92.5% of participants are married and 45% are employed. Of those surveyed, 86.5% are Lebanese-born and 40% have spent 30 years and over in the country of origin. More than a third (35.5%) have no formal education, almost 20% have a high-school leaving diploma (18.5%), an eighth engage in a trade (12.5%) and 6.5% have a university degree. In terms of income, more than half (52%) earn between $20,001 and $40,000 annually with about a quarter (22.5%) of respondents bringing in less than $20,000. The mean income for the sample group is $31,875. 1.2 Component of Collaboration 1.2.1 Introduction This component stresses on the diabetic’s knowledge base, pinpoints the severity of diabetes, factors in other complications that add to the morbidity of the disease and articulates the conditions associated with diabetes. First of all, taking account of the participants health is worthy of note since it facilitates health-specific interventions and treatments. It also calculates the individual’s ability to manage the disease since diabetes is a known lifetime disease with no cure. Seeing that participants for the most part are almost aged, gerontological illnesses must be duly considered. Lastly, a mere 3% have problems with sustained erection during intercourse. 1.2.2 General Health and Diabetes A series of questions were posed to evaluate the general health status, diabetes type, family history of diabetes, onset age for diabetes, diabetic education, source of education on diabetes, and hypoglycaemia experience. Based on these results, participants are further asked concerning complications associated with diabetes and the prevalent symptoms for diabetes. Details of these dimensions are presented in subsequent tables. The findings of the general health and diabetes segment reveal that nearly 75% (74.5%) of respondents deem themselves in good health whereas about an eighth (11.5%) have serious health complaints. 95% have type II diabetes and do not require insulin preparations. Added to this, a whopping 90% of diabetes do not trace diabetes in the family line which signifies that it could have been contracted due to lifestyle choices or was a recessive trait genetically. The age of onset describes the period at which respondents are initially diagnosed with the disease. Among interrogated participants, 91.5% discover that they have diabetes between the ages of 40-50 (in recent times) while 8.5% had much prior knowledge. Regarding diabetics’ awareness on the disease, a moderate two-thirds majority (68%) had formal sessions or health education on diabetes. Out of the knowledgeable, 87% received their information from a general practitioner or family physician while the reminding obtained their facts from diabetic specialists. When asked if they experienced hypoglycaemia in the last month, 82% affirmed in the negative. 1.2.3 Descriptive statistics on complications experienced along with diabetes It is a known fact that the kidneys, heart and nerves impact greatly on disease management and survival for diabetic patients, with strokes being a mortal part of the consequence. On the other hand, vision, mobility and sexuality are other areas which are hindered by diabetic symptoms. Complications aggravate diabetic ailments and only further affect and infect body organs. Among the respondents, complications reported include visual problems, renal failure, nervous disorders, cardiac disease, strokes, inhibited circulation, foot ulcers and poor erection. Heightened glucose levels can do extraordinary damage to other organs so that the diseased organ would increase discomfort and even shorten longevity. Characteristics Description N % Diagnosed complications Problem with eyes Kidney disease Nerve damage Heart disease Stroke Sustaining erection Poor circulation Foot ulcers 130 27 36 48 8 6 40 17 65 13.5 18.0 24.0 4.0 3.0 20.0 8.5 Visual problems rank number one among complications inherent to diabetes with 65% of respondents complaining of poor eyesight. Heart disease comes in at a distant second with about a quarter (24%) of participants owning to cardiac illness. Poor circulation is the main problem for 20% of persons and 18% sustaining grievous nerve damage. Another complication, renal failure afflicts 13.5% of the group. Foot ulcers emerge as another critical problem for 8.5% of questioned diabetics whereas only 4% had previous confrontation with a stroke. 1.2.4 Descriptive statistics on conditions symptomatic of diabetes On the other hand, conditions associated with diabetes itemized by survey takers included asthma, kidney disease, heart attack, angina, stroke, arthritis, hypertension, osteoporosis and depression. Among the questioned, the most popular condition was diabetes with a third of participants (32%) bearing witness to its ravages. The next in command is hypertension or high blood pressure with 27% of patients positively aware of it as a by-product of diabetes. Heart attacks, cardiac disease and angina together account for a quarter (24%) of diabetes cases. Asthma and kidney disease draw with each contributing to 13.5% of patients’ ailments. Similarly, strokes, arthritis and osteoporosis each assault 4% of participants. Characteristics Description N % Diagnosed Symptoms Asthma Kidney disease/ renal disease Angina/ heart disease/ attack Stroke or TIA Arthritis Hypertension Osteoporosis Depression 27 27 48 8 8 54 8 65 13.5 13.5 24 4.0 4.0 27.0 4.0 32.0 Quality of life Some problem No problem Percent Freq Percent Freq Mobility 34.5 69 65.5 131 Personal Care 48.5 97 51.5 103 Usual Activities Work 74.0 148 26 52 Study 64.5 129 35.5 71 Housework 81.5 163 18.5 37 Family 51.5 103 48.5 97 Leisure activities 71 142 29 58 Pain/discomfort 77 154 23 46 Anxiety/depression 73.5 147 26.5 53 1.2.5 Quality of Life As with all diseases, diabetes has a crippling effect on the quality of life. Depending on each individual, symptoms would strike specific corporal regions at some times; conversely, other areas would be unaffected. Due to diabetes, 1/3 of the group (34.5%) have complaints of impeded mobility, 1/2 (48.5%) struggle with personal care and hygienic issues, and 3/4 of the sample group (74%) experience retarded productivity at work. Moreover, diabetes incapacitates 80% (81.5%) of those attempting to do household chores and rears family life problems for 1/2 (51.5%) of respondents. More than 3/4 undergo pain and discomfort (77%) owing to their diabetic diagnosis and less than 3/4 (73.5%) endure bouts of anxiety and depression. 1.2.6 Alcohol Use and Health It has been proven that alcohol worsens the health condition especially for those with diabetes. Alcohol is known to contain dangerous sugars, plus the alcohol content impairs and hardens the liver which breaks down foods and on which the pancreas is dependent to secrete insulin into the bloodstream to maintain blood sugar levels. Arteries get stiffer hence, probabilities rise exponentially for stroke and heart disease. From all appearances, it seems that in the sample group, alcohol consumption is a custom that may be traced to culture. According to the study, 90% of participants confessed to alcohol intake ranging from less than a week to everyday and more than a quarter (28.9%) have 3 to more drinks weekly. Certainly, in view of the fact that participants are in their mid 40s and mid 50s, demonstrates that this indulgence is high-risk. This high tendency does not bode well for those who test positive for diabetes. On one hand, 1/5 prefer to abstain from alcohol completely. Among drinkers, 60% imbibe 1-2 servings of alcohol weekly. There is no significant relationship between the diabetics and their predisposition to taking alcohol (p=.29), neither was the significance established between participants and the frequency of alcohol drinking (p=.210.05). 1.2.9 Exercise and health All diabetics would do well to exercise to maintain this lifestyle illness. As such, programs integrating a regime of exercise would assist diabetics in losing weight and building a strong resistance against disease and strengthening cardiac muscles. Physical activities also would stimulate diabetes to increase water intake and make more valuable dietary choices. Among the test takers, nine-tenths (88.5%) confess to not exercising regularly; however, the numbers that do regular exercise 3 times and more represent 2.5% of the whole 200-member sample. On the other hand, out of those who occasionally exercise, almost 70% (69.6%), enjoy it once to twice weekly. On average, 87% of those who do not exercise regularly still would participate in rigorous physical activity 1-2 times weekly. The most active subset in this sample, 21.7% of regular exercisers would exercise from thrice to everyday. When questioned about imposed limitations on exercise upon the advice of a physician, only 0.5% (1 person) affirmed so. Therefore among those that do not have such directives, 61.8% indulge in some sort of exercise. The analyses proves that age, education, and health status were not significantly associated with the exercise habits (p=.73>0.05). 1.1.1 Diet, Fruits and Vegetables For a more improved quality of life, diabetics should push toward a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables. They must see the necessity of including more fruits and vegetables in the diet, reducing as well the quantities of sugar and salt in the regimen. Limiting certain high-calorie foods, while encouraging more healthy choices is an effective manner to have a healthy lifestyle. When one promotes a nutritious diet that is not very restrictive, one always stands to gain. Good results in well-being are accomplished by replacing processed sweets and soda with naturally sweetened foods such as, fruits and water. These junk foods normally contain no nutritional value to the diet and are overloaded with caffeine and carbohydrates. Dietary factors, in particular fruits and vegetables, appear to have greater weight among the participant group than were other lifestyle practices such as exercise, alcohol and salt intake. The diabetics consider of critical import, fruits and vegetables. Further, the Pearson Chi-Square test seems to confirm this phenomenon with a positive significance with the self-reported health choices of the group (p=0.00 Read More