MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF PATIENTS SEEKING CARE AT ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL, NAIROBI; KENYA

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) of great global public health and development concern. These NCDs have adverse effects on the social well-being of patients, their households, and the whole society. The general objective of this study was to determine the implications of the management of diabetes on the social well-being of the patients who were seeking treatment at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, during the study period. This study drew on mixed methods research design, involving basic quantitative survey and qualitative methods, particularly by using close and open-end questions. The sample size was 269 respondents 18 years of age and above. The study participants were selected through purposive and convenient sampling. These sampling techniques were preferred in this research since data was gathered from the respondents during their visits to the hospital. Data was collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Qualitative data was grouped, coded, and categorized, picking on cross-cutting issues, then compiled, analysed, and interpreted, drawing on descriptive statistics and themes emerging from the qualitative data. Quantitative data was coded then entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 for windows. SPSS was used to run frequency distributions and cross-tabulations for analysis and interpretation, and Microsoft Excel was used for graphical presentation. The study established that diabetes management is costly and not affordable to many patients. Hence, it affects the social well-being of the patients and their families. The study also found out that, there is inequality in the Kenyan health system in response to diabetes management across the Counties. There is also a gap in health education and screening services in local health facilities and communities. 216, 80.3% of the respondents (n=269) said there were no health education services in the community specifically for effective management diabetes and care of the affected patients and their families. The study recommends free or subsidized affordable and available medication for the patients, and continuous awareness programs for patients, family members, and the community across all Counties to address the effects of diabetes management on the patients, families, and the wider society. These initiatives would contribute to the improvement of the social well-being of the patients and their families and national socio-economic development.