The Lifestyle and Self-Care Behavior of the Muslim type II Diabetes Patients in the Ramadan and Non-Ramadan months in Takuatung District, Phang-nga Province
Abstract:
This qualitative research aimed to 1) study about the perception of Type II Diabetes in the Muslim patients 2) to investigate the way of life and the self-treatment of Muslim patients in the Ramadan and the non - Ramadon months in Takuatung District, Phang - nga Province. Informants were Muslims with Type 2 Diabetes who were fasting for more than 15 days. The sample consisted of 21 Muslims : 2 males and 19 females. The patients average age was 57.4 years old, and their average illness duration was 6.1 years. The data collection included a collaborative observation and an in-depth interview, analyzed by using a content - based method.The study discovered that the patients had a different perception about Type II Diabetes in the following aspects : urine, diet, and type of ailment. However, the patients learned that Diabetes Type II is a chronic illness caused by heredity, and dietary factors which anyone can be at risk from. The lifestyle of the type II Diabetes Muslim Patients during the Ramadan was found to be as follows 1) The aim of fasting is a duty of all Muslims. 2) The patients worked less during this period. 3) The Muslim patients increased the frequency of performing religious rites at the mosque with a special Tarovieh prayer at night. 4) The patients slept only 5-6 hours at night. 5) The Muslims had to observe the religious regulation of sharing and caring about other Muslims. The researcher also observed the way of life of the type II Diabetes Muslim Patients during the normal months and found that 1) Most of the patients work in the rubber plantation. 2) The patients usually pray 5 times a day at their homes. 3) The Muslim patients always get sufficient rest. 4) Most of the Muslim food contains coconut milk, therefore, the patients usually consume a lot of oil.In terms of self treatment of the patients, it was found that during the Ramadan the patients treated themselves as follows : 1) Some patients were able to control their own diet regularly by modifying the type of food taken. 2) The medicine intake was inconstant due to the fasting. 3) Most of the patients lacked daily exercise. 4) The patients sleep was less than 6 hours per night. 5) The patients were stressful at the beginning of the Ramadan and were able to manage their stress later. 6) Some patients encountered tiredness, dizziness, and shaking , but could manage these complications The average accumulation in the blood (HbA1C) level of the patients in the Ramadan was found to be below 7 percent and the diabetes treatment was found to be satisfaction. However, during the non -Ramadan months, it was revealed that most patients behave differently regarding their self treatment as follows : 1) Most of the patients lost control of their own diet. 2) The Muslim patients neglected their medicine intake. 3) The patients lacked daily exercise. 4) The patients slept for more than 6 hours per night. 5) The patients were able to control their emotional balance management better than during Ramadan. 6) The Muslims properly managed the complications from the diabetes. It was found that the accumulation in the blood (HbA1C) level of the patients was more than 8 percent and there fore the diabetes treatment during this period was found to be unsatisfactory. In conclusion, the accumulation in the blood (HbA1C) of the patients in the non - Ramadan months is 8.9 percent , while in the Ramadan the level is 7.4 percent. This comparison shows that the self - treatment by type II Diabetes patients during the Ramadan is better than in the normal months.This study makes us understand the experiences and way of life of the Muslim patients with Type 2 diabetes and how to take care of them during the Ramadan and non - Ramadan months. The data can be used as basic information on continuous diabetes management. The researchers suggested that the healthcare staff should provide appropriate activities for patients with diabetes by considering the context of the Muslim diabetic patients during the Ramadan and non - Ramadan months. In addition, emphasis should be put on participation between diabetic patients, the family, and the community. It is obvious that exercise is important for controlling blood sugar levels, and reducing the risk of both acute and chronic complications ; therefore, we should integrate exercise in the patients care system to enhance their physical, psychological, spiritual and social development of the patients.