Culture of Self-Care in People with Diabetes Mellitus, in a Rural Community in the State of Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus impairs the quality of life of people who do not have proper control of the disease. These changes can be observed from the moment in which physical complications begin to adversely affect the health of the person. Nevertheless, those patients who have lived for years with diabetes have developed a culture of self-care that allows them to take control of blood sugar levels. Objective: To characterize the culture of self-care in a population of adults between 30 and 60 years of age, originating from a rural community in the state of Mexico, who have Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Methodology: This article derives from research with a community approach that is qualitative, descriptive, and transversal. A semi-structured interview was prepared that allowed the authors to analyze the most significant care for people with diabetes. This was based on an analysis of their traditions, values, norms and experiences with the purpose of understanding the opinions of patients and impact of cultural factors. Results: Elements that determine a culture of self-care based on importance and beliefs were identified; the impact of cultural factors, evidenced through the interviews, represent the various behaviors and actions involved in the self-care, as well as the rationale/opinion that allows them to carry out these practices. These testimonies help thenursing staff to understand the importance of a cultural contextualization for care, promoting permanence in treatment and nursing interventions. Discussion: Self-care of a person with DM2 is directly related to their myths, beliefs, customs and some so-called scientific knowledge, aspects that delineate the culture of care, objectifying itself through the perceptions and attitudes of the people in a community. Health personnel, with an emphasis on nursing, need to know and become involved in the culture of the person with diabetes, in order to guide and accompany their self-care with a cultural focus. Conclusions: The culture of self-care in people with DM is determined by the knowledge and importance they give to their health condition as well as their beliefs around complications such as loss of sight and amputations, among others, highlighting the importance of adherence to pharmacological treatment.