A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the level of practice of a healthy lifestyle, to assess the health education provided to patients with diabetes and to determine the prevalence of obesity among Basotho patients with diabetes. Design: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 pat...

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Main Authors: P.N. Makinga, A. Beke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2013-04-01
Series:South African Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3574
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author P.N. Makinga
A. Beke
author_facet P.N. Makinga
A. Beke
author_sort P.N. Makinga
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the level of practice of a healthy lifestyle, to assess the health education provided to patients with diabetes and to determine the prevalence of obesity among Basotho patients with diabetes. Design: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 patients between November 2004 and July 2005. Descriptive statistics on demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle data were computed. Weight, waist circumference and hip circumference measurements were taken to compute body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Setting and subjects: Patients with diabetes attending three hospitals in Lesotho were recruited in the study. Outcome measures: These included obesity indices, the quality and quantity of physical exercises, the quality and quantity of provided health education and the frequency with which the subjects sought medical help. Results: The participants’ mean age was 54.73 years. The prevalence of smoking (14.6%) was higher than that of drinking (9.4%). Only 20.8% of the participants participated in recommended physical exercise. Most participants (95%) consulted their physicians on a regular basis. The Health Education Quantity Index was very low: 49.9%. The prevalence of obesity measured by BMI, WHpR and WHtR was 67.7%, 69.8% and 95.3% respectively. Conclusion: The practice of a healthy lifestyle was suboptimal, but help-seeking behaviour was satisfactory among participants. It is recommended that health education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle are encouraged, that diabetes education is rendered by accredited educators or healthcare providers trained in communicating health messages, and that the fight against obesity is made a priority.
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spelling doaj-art-e13320c7b3474cbdb93f101c7eed73652025-08-20T04:03:13ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042013-04-0155210.1080/20786204.2013.108743324844A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetesP.N. Makinga0A. Beke1St Joseph’s Hospital, Lesotho; and, Northdale HospitalSchool of Health Systems and Public Health, University of PretoriaObjectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the level of practice of a healthy lifestyle, to assess the health education provided to patients with diabetes and to determine the prevalence of obesity among Basotho patients with diabetes. Design: A cross-sectional study enrolled 192 patients between November 2004 and July 2005. Descriptive statistics on demographic, socio-economic and lifestyle data were computed. Weight, waist circumference and hip circumference measurements were taken to compute body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Setting and subjects: Patients with diabetes attending three hospitals in Lesotho were recruited in the study. Outcome measures: These included obesity indices, the quality and quantity of physical exercises, the quality and quantity of provided health education and the frequency with which the subjects sought medical help. Results: The participants’ mean age was 54.73 years. The prevalence of smoking (14.6%) was higher than that of drinking (9.4%). Only 20.8% of the participants participated in recommended physical exercise. Most participants (95%) consulted their physicians on a regular basis. The Health Education Quantity Index was very low: 49.9%. The prevalence of obesity measured by BMI, WHpR and WHtR was 67.7%, 69.8% and 95.3% respectively. Conclusion: The practice of a healthy lifestyle was suboptimal, but help-seeking behaviour was satisfactory among participants. It is recommended that health education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle are encouraged, that diabetes education is rendered by accredited educators or healthcare providers trained in communicating health messages, and that the fight against obesity is made a priority.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3574diabeteshealth educationlifestylehealth-seeking behaviourhealthcarebasothowaist circumferencebmihip circumference
spellingShingle P.N. Makinga
A. Beke
A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
South African Family Practice
diabetes
health education
lifestyle
health-seeking behaviour
healthcare
basotho
waist circumference
bmi
hip circumference
title A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
title_full A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
title_fullStr A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
title_full_unstemmed A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
title_short A cross-sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of Basotho patients with diabetes
title_sort cross sectional survey on the lifestyle and healthseeking behaviour of basotho patients with diabetes
topic diabetes
health education
lifestyle
health-seeking behaviour
healthcare
basotho
waist circumference
bmi
hip circumference
url https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/3574
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AT pnmakinga crosssectionalsurveyonthelifestyleandhealthseekingbehaviourofbasothopatientswithdiabetes
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