Association between psychosocial factors and glycemic level of diabetic patients.

Abstract

The study sought to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors such as anxiety, depression, stress and social support, age, and glucose level of persons living with diabetes at the St. Michael’s Hospital, Pramso in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The descriptive survey research design (cross-sectional survey) was adopted for the study. Through the use of convenience and purposive sampling procedures, 110 respondents were selected to participate in the study. The questionnaire was used to gather the requisite data for the study. The data were analyzed through the computation of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, Pearson product moments correlation coefficient, independent t-test as well as one-way ANOVA. The study among other things found out that, there was a weak to moderate correlation between psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, social support and the attitude towards self-care. The study recommended that health care professionals should endeavor to counsel patients on stress management techniques, need for regular exercises and therapy on how to handle their thoughts and emotions in times of feelings of helplessness and hopelessness in order to reduce anxiety among diabetic patients.