Self-care practices and needs among people with type 2 diabetes at the community level in Nam Dinh province, vietnam: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: To describe the current status of self-care and analyze influencing factors and the needs for enhancing self-care capacity among patients with type 2 diabetes in the community of Nam Dinh Province. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted on 120 participants (82 patients and 38 caregivers) from June to December 2024, using focus group discussions guided by a semi-structured questionnaire comprising 16 questions. Data were analyzed thematically with the support of NVivo 14 software. Results: Patients faced numerous challenges in self-care, particularly in blood glucose monitoring, dietary management, medication adherence, and physical exercise. Barriers included a lack of knowledge, financial constraints, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and limited family support. Both patients and caregivers expressed a high demand for health education programs, emotional support, exercise guidance, and community sharing groups. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to implement comprehensive intervention programs at primary healthcare levels, integrating education, practical support, and community engagement, to enhance self-care capacity, improve disease management, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for patients with type 2 diabetes