Quality of life in people with type 2 diabetes living in rural and remote areas, Iran

Abstract

Improving quality of life of people living with diabetes has been suggested as a health priority in the world for many years especially in rural areas. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the quality of life of people with type 2 diabetes living in rural and remote areas in Iran in 2011. Iranian version of WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was filled out by 40 people, and data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical analysis. Mean (SD) of domain scores were 10.77 (SD=1.38) for physical health, 10.43 (SD=1.19) for psychological health, 10.28 (SD=1.64) for social relationships, and 10.51 (SD=1.19) for environmental health. Overall, people with diabetes had a low mean quality of life (QoL) score in the four domains. This lower mean score could be contributed to the burden the disease places on them, living in rural area, and lower educational level, as well as some Iranian contextual factors such as keeping sexual problem as personal secret and being a hidden farmer as a female living in remote areas and etc. Therefore, improving the QoL of people with diabetes living in Iranian rural and remote areas would be possible if community healthcare workers and family physicians assess the Iranian people thoroughly with regard to sex, gender, and educational level through a holistic approach which is essential in diabetes management.