ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a chronic, progressive illness with the potential for debilitating physical and mental complications. Patients' views about health, illness, control and treatment are predictive of the outcome of changes in lifestyle and treatment planning. The aim of this study was to explore diabetic women's views about the disease and the consequences experienced due to diabetes. A qualitative approach, thematic analysis method, semi-structured interview study was conducted in Ahvaz in 2013. Forty diabetic women were interviewed individually using purposeful sampling. Interviews were recorded and typed verbatim and analyzed using constant comparison simultaneously with data collection. After collecting and analyzing the data, 117 initial codes, 14 second level codes and 3 main codes emerged. The main concepts were 1-different feelings about their health and illness status, 2- psychological and mental symptoms, 3- restrictions experienced due to the control and treatment of the disease. Diabetic women believed that diabetes is a serious illness and negative views about insulin were common. Subcategories were worried about hypoglycemia after insulin injections, fear of disability due to the disease, further progression of diabetes, fear and embarrassment of insulin injection and cost of follow-up and treatment of the disease. Negative attitudes towards diabetes were common. Contradictory patient views about health can play an essential role in self-care practice and since patients with diabetes experience many problems, a thorough understanding of these can contribute to planning health care for these patients