Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa

Abstract Objective Diabetes is an incapacitating condition affecting millions of people in South Africa. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control is crucial in preventing diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of diabetes self-care. This study examined how Social Determinants of Health (SD...

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Main Authors: Assegid Hellebo, Andre Pascal Kengne, Amarech Obse, Naomi Levitt, Bronwyn Myers, Susan Cleary, Olufunke Alaba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-10-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20200-w
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author Assegid Hellebo
Andre Pascal Kengne
Amarech Obse
Naomi Levitt
Bronwyn Myers
Susan Cleary
Olufunke Alaba
author_facet Assegid Hellebo
Andre Pascal Kengne
Amarech Obse
Naomi Levitt
Bronwyn Myers
Susan Cleary
Olufunke Alaba
author_sort Assegid Hellebo
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Diabetes is an incapacitating condition affecting millions of people in South Africa. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control is crucial in preventing diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of diabetes self-care. This study examined how Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are associated with self-care management practices in individuals with diabetes in South Africa using the framework developed by the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Methods This study utilised cross-sectional Project Mind baseline data collected in 2017. Self-care management was coded on a scale from ‘0’ (never) to ‘7’ (daily adherence). For analysis, this scale was dichotomised into two categories: low self-care (scores 0–5) and high self-care (scores 6–7). Furthermore, adherence with these daily self-care activities was categorised into three levels: no adherence, partial adherence (inconsistent or partial adherence to activities), and full adherence (consistent adherence to all self-care activities). Results The analytical sample (n = 539) was predominantly female (76%), with a mean age of 54 years, urban residents (60%), unemployed (70%), and attained secondary education (11.3%). In determining the attainment of a higher scale of self-care, age (AOR = 1.02, CI=[0.99,1.05]) and secondary education (AOR = 1.13, CI=[1.02, 2.03]) were associated with an increase in the scale of self-care. Conversely, urban residency (AOR = 0.50, CI=[0.29,0.88]) and being obese (AOR = 0.43, CI=[0.19,1.00]) were associated with a lower scale of self-care. Although not statistically robust, food insecurity decreased while being a woman and having a stable house showed an increased association. Travelling longer distances to access healthcare was positively associated with no adherence, and urban residency has a negative association with full adherence relative to partial adherence. Conclusions The associations between SDoH and diabetes self-care management within a South African context highlight the need for a more holistic understanding and approach to interventions. Future endeavours should examine these determinants more broadly and formulate integrative strategies to ameliorate diabetes self-care.
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spelling doaj-art-5b69bb4511694b8c8bc11f1fba70ca582025-08-20T02:17:53ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-10-0124111010.1186/s12889-024-20200-wSocial determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South AfricaAssegid Hellebo0Andre Pascal Kengne1Amarech Obse2Naomi Levitt3Bronwyn Myers4Susan Cleary5Olufunke Alaba6Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownDepartment of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownHealth Economics Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownDivision of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape TownDivision of Addiction Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape TownHealth Economics Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownHealth Economics Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape TownAbstract Objective Diabetes is an incapacitating condition affecting millions of people in South Africa. Maintaining optimal glycaemic control is crucial in preventing diabetes complications, highlighting the importance of diabetes self-care. This study examined how Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are associated with self-care management practices in individuals with diabetes in South Africa using the framework developed by the Healthy People 2020 initiative. Methods This study utilised cross-sectional Project Mind baseline data collected in 2017. Self-care management was coded on a scale from ‘0’ (never) to ‘7’ (daily adherence). For analysis, this scale was dichotomised into two categories: low self-care (scores 0–5) and high self-care (scores 6–7). Furthermore, adherence with these daily self-care activities was categorised into three levels: no adherence, partial adherence (inconsistent or partial adherence to activities), and full adherence (consistent adherence to all self-care activities). Results The analytical sample (n = 539) was predominantly female (76%), with a mean age of 54 years, urban residents (60%), unemployed (70%), and attained secondary education (11.3%). In determining the attainment of a higher scale of self-care, age (AOR = 1.02, CI=[0.99,1.05]) and secondary education (AOR = 1.13, CI=[1.02, 2.03]) were associated with an increase in the scale of self-care. Conversely, urban residency (AOR = 0.50, CI=[0.29,0.88]) and being obese (AOR = 0.43, CI=[0.19,1.00]) were associated with a lower scale of self-care. Although not statistically robust, food insecurity decreased while being a woman and having a stable house showed an increased association. Travelling longer distances to access healthcare was positively associated with no adherence, and urban residency has a negative association with full adherence relative to partial adherence. Conclusions The associations between SDoH and diabetes self-care management within a South African context highlight the need for a more holistic understanding and approach to interventions. Future endeavours should examine these determinants more broadly and formulate integrative strategies to ameliorate diabetes self-care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20200-w
spellingShingle Assegid Hellebo
Andre Pascal Kengne
Amarech Obse
Naomi Levitt
Bronwyn Myers
Susan Cleary
Olufunke Alaba
Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
BMC Public Health
title Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
title_full Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
title_fullStr Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
title_short Social determinants of health and diabetes self-care management in South Africa
title_sort social determinants of health and diabetes self care management in south africa
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20200-w
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