ABSTRACT
AIMS: To explore the impact of diabetes on sexual relationships among men and women living with type 2 diabetes People living with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) and their partners in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS: As part of a larger study developing an intervention to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) self management, we conducted in-depth individual interviews with 10 PLWD and their partners without diabetes about experiences living with T2DM, between July 2020 and January 2021. We used inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Both PLWD and partners felt that their sexual relationships and desires changed post-diagnosis, in ways beyond biomedical issues. Although couples' reports on the quality of their sexual relationships were concordant, most participants had not communicated their sexual desires and concerns with each other, causing unhappiness and fears of disappointing or losing their partner. Participants felt uninformed about sexual dysfunction but had not discussed this with their healthcare provider, leading to increased anxiety. CONCLUSION: PLWD and their partners need more informational support to increase their understanding of diabetes-associated sexual dysfunction and to decrease fears and anxiety. Strengthening communication within couples on sexual issues may empower them to find solutions to problems experienced. This may improve couples' relationships and quality of life, and indirectly result in better self management of T2DM.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Sexual Partners , Male , Humans , Female , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , South Africa/epidemiology , Quality of Life , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing concern in South Africa, where many find self-management challenging. Behaviour-change health interventions are enhanced by involving partners of patients. We aimed to develop a couples-focused intervention to improve self-management of T2D among adults in South Africa. DESIGN: We used the person-based approach (PBA): synthesising evidence from existing interventions; background research; theory; and primary qualitative interviews with 10 couples to ascertain barriers and facilitators to self-management. This evidence was used to formulate guiding principles that directed the intervention design. We then prototyped the intervention workshop material, shared it with our public and patient involvement group and ran iterative co-discovery think-aloud sessions with nine couples. Feedback was rapidly analysed and changes formulated to improve the intervention, optimising its acceptability and maximising its potential efficacy. SETTING: We recruited couples using public-sector health services in the area of Cape Town, South Africa, during 2020-2021. PARTICIPANTS: The 38 participants were couples where one person had T2D. INTERVENTION: We developed the 'Diabetes Together' intervention to support self-management of T2D among couples in South Africa, focussing on: improved communication and shared appraisal of T2D; identifying opportunities for better self-management; and support from partners. Diabetes Together combined eight informational and two skills-building sections over two workshops. RESULTS: Our guiding principles included: providing equal information on T2D to partners; improving couples' communication; shared goal-setting; discussion of diabetes fears; discussing couples' roles in diabetes self-management; and supporting couples' autonomy to identify and prioritise diabetes self-management strategies.Participants viewing Diabetes Together valued the couples-focus of the intervention, especially communication. Feedback resulted in several improvements throughout the intervention, for example, addressing health concerns and tailoring to the setting. CONCLUSIONS: Using the PBA, our intervention was developed and tailored to our target audience. Our next step is to pilot the workshops' feasibility and acceptability.
