Abstract:
The objective of the study was to asses Quality of Life of diabetes mellitus
patients, to examine the relationship between factors of demographics, history of
illness, social support and Quality of Life of diabetes mellitus patients. The sample
was composed of 280 patients who followed up in the Diabetes Clinic at Chombung
Crown Prince Hospital, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. Random sample size was
selected by Systemic Random Sampling. The instrument for data collection was a
questionnaire. Statistical techniques implemented, included percentage, arithmatic
means, standard deviation, Pearsons Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, X2-
test and Logistic Regression.
Most diabetes mellitus patients, overall Quality of Life was at a moderate
level. Physical domain was at a good level, but psychological domain, social
relationships domain and environment domain were at a moderate level. Overall and
domain of social support were at a good level. Factors related to Quality of Life of
diabetes mellitus patients were: social support, complications and deformation of
diabetes mellitus, regular follow ups, receiption of family care and help, re-admittance
count, and participation in a Diabetes Clinic. Multiple logistic regression analysis
indicated that after adjusting for all other variables in the model, the four variables
significantly related to Quality of Life of diabetes mellitus patients were: social
support, regular follow ups, receiption of family care and help, and re-admittance
count.
The suggestion of this study is development of health services of the
Diabetes Clinic. There should be development of a patients, discharge plan with the
family in order to prevent complications and subsequent re-admittance. Development
of the primary care unit can decrease direct costs and indirect costs of patients.
Encouragement and support of the participation of the family and community in
taking care of diabetes mellitus patients will ultimately improve patents, quality of life