FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE INSULIN ACCEPTANCE AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN A PRIMARY CARE CLINIC

Abstract

Objectives: To determine frequency of factors that influence insulin acceptance among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a primary care clinic.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: PEMH, Rawalpindi from June to November 2023.

Patients & Methods: A total of 66 type 2 diabetic patients were included in the study who were planned to be started on insulin therapy. All these patients were interviewed through a structured questionnaire to determine factors that influenced their decision toward or against the acceptance of insulin therapy. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22:00.

Results: In our study, mean age was 53.01 ± 8.62 years [42 (63.64%) males and 24 (36.36%) females]. Mean duration of having diabetes was 10.76 ± 2.42 years. Mean HbA1C% at presentation was 9.47 ± 1.08%. Frequency of patients whose initial response towards the initiation of insulin therapy was “acceptance” was 41 (62.12%) while of “reluctance” was 25 (37.88%). Most common factors that led to “acceptance” were “trust on doctor” 13 (31.71%) and “oral hypoglycemic not working” 11 (26.83%) while of “reluctance” were “fear of insulin dependency” 9 (36.00%) and “side effects of insulin” 5 (20.00%).

Conclusion: Frequency of insulin acceptance is relatively high in our population with “trust on doctor” and “oral hypoglycemic not working” being most common factors driving this decision. A fair proportion of patients also showed reluctance mainly due to “fear of insulin dependency” and “side effects of insulin”.