Social support and life-style modification among type 2 diabetes at Champasak Hospital, Lao PDR

This study was aimed to assess life-style modification among type 2 diabetes, and identify the relationship between patient’s characteristics, social support, source of information and health care provider-patient’s communication with life - style modification among type 2 diabetes. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in 162 type 2 diabetes who attended outpatient department at Champasak Hospital, Champasak Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Data analysis was performed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression at significance level of 5%.The study revealed that 51.9 % of participants had poor life-style. Factor associated with life-style modification was doctor-patient communication (p-values 0.04). The group of poor peer support was 92.0%, whereas good family support was 52.5%. Level of satisfaction to health services was in good level (83.3%). On the other hand, doctor-patient communication at poor level was 53.1% which was similar to nurse-patient communication (51.2%). This study found that most participants had limited access on information about Diabetes Mellitus. Most participants (96.3%) could not control their blood sugar level. These findings suggest that health care provider pays a crucial role in assisting diabetes patients on their life-style modification especially in medical adherence. Health policy needs to focus on how to improve blood sugar level among type 2 diabetes.