Abstract:
This study was a survey of existing non-experimental nursing research related
to diabetic patients in Thailand from 1980 until 2005. There were two sources of
research: theses, and research articles published in nursing, medical, and public health
related journals in Thailand. Research titles were retrieved through the library
database system of the universities and Praboromarajchanok Library, and through to
Thai Index Medicus database.
It was revealed that there were 230 research titles. Most of the studies were
theses produced to fulfill the requirement for a Master’s degree at Mahidol University
from 1996 to 2005. Descriptive methodology was mostly used to analyze the
correlations of study variables among diabetic patients who had received medical
services at diabetes clinics. Most of the samples were recruited by using purposive
sampling. The main variables found in these research titles included diabetic control
variables and health behavior variables. Most of the Master’s theses presented
conceptual frameworks. The majority of instruments used were interviewing forms
constructed by the researchers. Most of the data were analyzed by quantitative
analysis using frequency, percentage, and correlation coefficients.
Results of the hypothesis testings reported in these 230 research titles could be
classified into 2 categories: 1. factors related to diabetic control and 2. factors related
to health behaviors. In addition to these, results of qualitative data reported in 15
research titles could be summarized into a third category. The summary in these 3
categories has led to the understanding of health behaviors of diabetic patients and
other factors related to such behaviors. The findings of this survey also were that
patients’ health behaviors are related to their diabetic control. The findings from this
survey provide knowledge derived from 230 research titles. Nurses and nurse
researchers can use these findings to develop effective interventions to modify
patients’ health behaviors aimed at good diabetic control.