Diabetes Distress among Patients with Type II Diabetes in Alexandria

Diabetes mellitus is being increasingly recognized as a serious global health problem
and is frequently associated with co-morbid distress contributing double burden for the
individual and the society. Objective: Assess diabetes distress among patients with type II
diabetes in Alexandria. Setting: The study was carried out at four health care settings
rendering services in Alexandria namely: El Ramad Hospital Outpatient Diabetic Clinic,
Bacus Family Health Center, Outpatient Diabetic Clinic in the Main University Hospital and
Smouha Outpatient Diabetic Clinic. Subjects: Using the equal allocation method a random
sample of 90 diabetic patients selected from each of the previously mentioned settings in
Alexandria. The total sample size was 360 diabetic patients. Tools: Three tools were used for
data collection: Patients’ socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule;
The Diabetic Distress Scale-17 (DDS-17) and Summary of the Diabetes Self Care Activities
Scale (SDSCA). Results: Findings of the present study revealed that less than half (45.6%) of
the patients had high diabetes distress level. Nine variables were found to be predictors of
high diabetes distress namely gender, age, residence place, level of education, work status,
income sufficiency, disease duration, presence of complications and satisfaction with health
services. Conclusion: Diabetes distress is a serious problem among diabetic patients with
multiple related risk factors. Recommendations: Routine screening of diabetic patients for
depression and diabetes-related distress, empower patients through interactive teaching
strategies and involve them in the management of their diabetes.