scholarly journals Characteristics of men and women with diabetes

Author(s):  
Enza Gucciardi ◽  
Shirley Chi-Tyan Wang ◽  
Lisa Amaral ◽  
Donna E. Stewart

OBJECTIVE To determine whether men and women with type 2 diabetes have different psychosocial, behavioural, and clinical characteristics at the time of their first visit to a diabetes education centre. DESIGN A questionnaire on psychosocial and behavioural characteristics was administered at participants’ first appointments. Clinical and disease-related data were collected from their medical records. Bivariate analyses (χ2 test, t test, and Mann-Whitney test) were conducted to examine differences between men and women on the various characteristics. SETTING Two diabetes education centres in the greater Toronto area in Ontario. PARTICIPANTS A total of 275 men and women with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS Women were more likely to have a family history of diabetes, previous diabetes education, and higher expectations of the benefits of self-management. Women reported higher levels of social support from their diabetes health care team than men did, and had more depressive symptoms, higher body mass, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than men did. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide evidence that diabetes prevention, care, and education need to be targeted to men and women differently. Primary care providers should encourage men to attend diabetes self-management education sessions and emphasize the benefits of self-care. Primary care providers should promote regular diabetes screening and primary prevention to women, particularly women with a family history of diabetes or a high body mass index; emphasize the importance of weight management for those with and without diabetes; and screen diabetic women for depressive symptoms.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enza Gucciardi ◽  
Shirley Chi-Tyan Wang ◽  
Lisa Amaral ◽  
Donna E. Stewart

OBJECTIVE To determine whether men and women with type 2 diabetes have different psychosocial, behavioural, and clinical characteristics at the time of their first visit to a diabetes education centre. DESIGN A questionnaire on psychosocial and behavioural characteristics was administered at participants’ first appointments. Clinical and disease-related data were collected from their medical records. Bivariate analyses (χ2 test, t test, and Mann-Whitney test) were conducted to examine differences between men and women on the various characteristics. SETTING Two diabetes education centres in the greater Toronto area in Ontario. PARTICIPANTS A total of 275 men and women with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS Women were more likely to have a family history of diabetes, previous diabetes education, and higher expectations of the benefits of self-management. Women reported higher levels of social support from their diabetes health care team than men did, and had more depressive symptoms, higher body mass, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than men did. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide evidence that diabetes prevention, care, and education need to be targeted to men and women differently. Primary care providers should encourage men to attend diabetes self-management education sessions and emphasize the benefits of self-care. Primary care providers should promote regular diabetes screening and primary prevention to women, particularly women with a family history of diabetes or a high body mass index; emphasize the importance of weight management for those with and without diabetes; and screen diabetic women for depressive symptoms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mathew ◽  
Enza Gucciardi ◽  
Margaret Margaret ◽  
Paula Barata

Background: The purpose of this study is to better understand differences in diabetes self-management, specifically needs, barriers and challenges among men and women living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: 35 participants were recruited from a diabetes education center (DEC) in Toronto, Canada. Five focus groups and nine individual interviews were conducted to explore men and women's diabetes self-management experiences.Results: The average age of participants was 57 years and just over half (51.4%) were female. Analyses revealed five themes: disclosure and identity as a person living with diabetes; self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG); diet struggles across varying contexts; utilization of diabetes resources; and social support. Women disclosed their diabetes more readily and integrated management into their daily lives, whereas men were more reluctant to tell friends and family about their diabetes and were less observant of self-management practices in social settings. Men focused on practical aspects of SMBG and experimented with various aspects of management to reduce reliance on medications whereas women focused on affective components of SMBG. Women restricted foods from their diets perceived as prohibited whereas many men moderated their intake of perceived unhealthy foods, except in social situations. Women used socially interactive resources, like education classes and support groups whereas men relied more on self-directed learning but also described wanting more guidance to help navigate the healthcare system. Finally, men and women reported wanting physician support for both affective and practical aspects of self-management.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the differences in needs and challenges of diabetes self-management among men and women, which may inform gender-sensitive diabetes, care, counseling and support.Keywords: Diabetes, Self-management, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sex, Gender


2000 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 806-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward G. Fell ◽  
Russell E. Glasgow ◽  
Shawn Boles ◽  
H. Garth McKay

PURPOSE the purpose of this study was to evaluate the participation rates and factors associated with nonparticipation among primary care patients who were invited to join an Internet-based self-management research program. METHODS Primary care providers invited their patients with type 2 diabetes to participate in an Internet-based diabetes self-management support program. Research staff contacted these patients by phone to assess their eligibility and interest in participating. Reasons for declining were assessed and demographic/medical status information was collected. RESULTS Of the eligible patients, 60% participated in the program. No significant differences were found between participants and decliners in gender, insulin use, computer familiarity, or computer ownership. There were significant differences in age and years since diagnosis. Participants were slightly younger and had diabetes for a fewer number of years than nonparticipants. Nonparticipation was not related to computer or Internet issues. CONCLUSIONS Most older diabetes patients without previous Internet experience will-takepart in Internet-based self-managment support programs if barriers to participation are addressed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mathew ◽  
Enza Gucciardi ◽  
Margaret De Melo ◽  
Paula Barata

Background: The purpose of this study is to better understand differences in diabetes self-management, specifically needs, barriers and challenges among men and women living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: 35 participants were recruited from a diabetes education center (DEC) in Toronto, Canada. Five focus groups and nine individual interviews were conducted to explore men and women's diabetes self-management experiences. Results: The average age of participants was 57 years and just over half (51.4%) were female. Analyses revealed five themes: disclosure and identity as a person living with diabetes; self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG); diet struggles across varying contexts; utilization of diabetes resources; and social support. Women disclosed their diabetes more readily and integrated management into their daily lives, whereas men were more reluctant to tell friends and family about their diabetes and were less observant of self-management practices in social settings. Men focused on practical aspects of SMBG and experimented with various aspects of management to reduce reliance on medications whereas women focused on affective components of SMBG. Women restricted foods from their diets perceived as prohibited whereas many men moderated their intake of perceived unhealthy foods, except in social situations. Women used socially interactive resources, like education classes and support groups whereas men relied more on self-directed learning but also described wanting more guidance to help navigate the healthcare system. Finally, men and women reported wanting physician support for both affective and practical aspects of self-management. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the differences in needs and challenges of diabetes self-management among men and women, which may inform gender-sensitive diabetes, care, counseling and support.


2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Sakurai ◽  
Koshi Nakamura ◽  
Katsuyuki Miura ◽  
Toshinari Takamura ◽  
Katsushi Yoshita ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mathew ◽  
Enza Gucciardi ◽  
Margaret Margaret ◽  
Paula Barata

Background: The purpose of this study is to better understand differences in diabetes self-management, specifically needs, barriers and challenges among men and women living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: 35 participants were recruited from a diabetes education center (DEC) in Toronto, Canada. Five focus groups and nine individual interviews were conducted to explore men and women's diabetes self-management experiences.Results: The average age of participants was 57 years and just over half (51.4%) were female. Analyses revealed five themes: disclosure and identity as a person living with diabetes; self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG); diet struggles across varying contexts; utilization of diabetes resources; and social support. Women disclosed their diabetes more readily and integrated management into their daily lives, whereas men were more reluctant to tell friends and family about their diabetes and were less observant of self-management practices in social settings. Men focused on practical aspects of SMBG and experimented with various aspects of management to reduce reliance on medications whereas women focused on affective components of SMBG. Women restricted foods from their diets perceived as prohibited whereas many men moderated their intake of perceived unhealthy foods, except in social situations. Women used socially interactive resources, like education classes and support groups whereas men relied more on self-directed learning but also described wanting more guidance to help navigate the healthcare system. Finally, men and women reported wanting physician support for both affective and practical aspects of self-management.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the differences in needs and challenges of diabetes self-management among men and women, which may inform gender-sensitive diabetes, care, counseling and support.Keywords: Diabetes, Self-management, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Sex, Gender


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