Factors Affecting Self-Care Behavior Levels among Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Quantile Regression Approach

• Main Authors: Min Young Kim, Eun Ju Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-07-01
• Series: Medicina
• Subjects: elderly; diabetes; self-care; quantitative methods
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/55/7/340

<i>Background and objectives:</i> Identifying factors that affect self-care according to low, middle, and high self-care levels among elderly patients with diabetes is the best way to prevent various life-threatening complications, and this can be accomplished by using an individualized approach to improve self-care. A quantile regression model is beneficial for estimating such factors because it allows the consideration of the entire conditional distribution of a dependent variable as it relates to independent variables. The objective of this study was to identify factors that affect self-care among elderly patients with diabetes using quantile regression. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A cross-sectional survey of elderly patients with diabetes was conducted using the Self-Care Scale and six other related scales at three medical health centers in South Korea. <i>Results:</i> In the 10% quantile, the factors affecting self-care were age, smoking within the past six months, being educated about diabetes, depression, knowledge related to diabetes, self-efficacy, diabetes distress, and family support. Additional factors were as follows: age, smoking within the past six months, self-efficacy, and diabetes distress in the 25% quantile; age, self-efficacy, perceived health status, and diabetes distress in the 50% quantile; age, self-efficacy, perceived health status, and diabetes distress in the 75% quantile; and self-efficacy and perceived health status in the 90% quantile. <i>Conclusions:</i> Based on the results of this study, suggestions include providing education for sub-groups incapable of self-care, teaching stress management strategies, and increasing family support. In addition, for individuals capable of self-care, simplified programs that consist of self-efficacy improvement and stress control strategies are necessary.