Health belief model about diabetes mellitus in Thailand: the culture consensus analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a chronic disease, which requires patient participation. The outcome of treatment depends on the patient health belief model (HBM) and illness perception. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the HBM and illness perception in diabetic patients by culture consensus analysis model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifty diabetic patients were randomly selected at the out patient diabetic clinic from 4 hospitals, Maharaj Lampang hospital, Maharaj Nakorn rachasrima hospital, Hadyai hospital, and Lerdsin hospital to represent 4 regions of Thailand. Data from each patient was collected by using questionnaire. Anthropac version 4.98 was used to do consensus analysis RESULTS: Two-hundred diabetic patients from four political regions were assessed Only Songkla culture showed a diabetes heath belief pattern at the eigenvalue ratio at 3.8 and competency score at 0.72 +/- 11 (mean +/- SD). This pattern was created because Sonkla had more diabetes knowledge sources compared to other regions (p = 0.01). The ability of Songkla member to fit in the group was not related to any medical and socioeconomic factor (p > 0.05). The authors postulated that past experience or culture might determine this. Songkla diabetes beliefs were described and compared to biomedically correct information. The treatment process based on HBM and illness perception concepts were also discussed. The result of the research led to a Lerdsin diabetes self help group in the hospital. CONCLUSION: From this study, Thailand does not have HBM about diabetes mellitus. Only the Songkla community does. Past experience and culture might determine the pattern of HBM in this community.