Cross-Sectional Study of Glycaemic Control Among Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in A Primary Health Care Clinic: A Call for Tailored Intervention

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: More than two thirds of the women attending primary health care (PHC) clinics have poor glycaemic control with lifestyle, stress, and attitudes as risk factors towards poor type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) control. This study aims to determine the prevalence and identifying the  factors associated with poor glycaemic control among the T2DM women in PHC clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study on women with T2DM in Seremban Health Clinic (HC), Negeri Sembilan, conducted over 3 months from January-April 2023. The women were recruited through systematic random sampling. Information was gathered using medical records and self-administered questionnaires. Factors associated with poor glycaemic controlled were determined using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULT: The prevalence of poor glycaemic control among women with T2DM in Seremban HC is 57.8%. Factors found to be associated with poor glycaemic control among these women included age   ≥60 years old (aOR 2.26; 95% CI 1.35, 3.78), non-Malay ethnicity (aOR 1.89; 95% CI 1.05, 3.40), non-insulin treatment (aOR 7.56; 95% CI 4.13, 13.84), and perceived social support (aOR 1.47; 95% CI 1.12, 1.91). CONCLUSION: Over half of the women with T2DM attending Seremban HC have poor glycaemic control, associated with factors such as age ≥ 60 years, non-Malay ethnicity, non-insulin treatment, and perceived higher social support. This suggests a need for a women-centred primary care strategies to manage T2DM, potentially enabling the development of tailored interventions specifically for women. Collaboration with healthcare providers and policymakers could further enhance the glycaemic control among women with T2DM.