Given Hapunda
University of Zambia
Africa
Title: Psychosocial Functioning in Diabetes Patients: Implications for Clinical Practice
Biography
Biography: Given Hapunda
Abstract
There is an increase in the incidence of diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa and evidence of increased risk of several psychosocial problems including depression, anxiety, and distress among individuals with diabetes. However, few Sub-Saharan empirical studies have documented psychosocial issues affecting individuals living with diabetes. This presentation reviews results from 4 empirical studies from Zambia investigating psychosocial functioning and factors including stress, stress coping strategies, stigma, depression, diabetes specific emotional distress, diabetes self-care, quality of care and life in Zambianindividuals with diabetes mellitus. Key findings indicated that comorbid depression, emotional stress are common in patients with diabetes. These psychological issues seem to be compounded by poor stress coping strategies, poor quality of life and care in the patients. In order to improve the lives of patients, health care provision and self-care among patients must first be improved. Clinicians must identify, register and treat psychosocial issues affecting patients. Awareness and education on diabetes must be accelerated and medical care awareness amid tradition medicine in Sub-Saharan African countries must be improved. Policy makers, clinicians and others stakeholders must work together to improve health care and quality of life of patients.