Table 2 Challenges to self-management in the home environment
From: "This does my head in". Ethnographic study of self-management by people with diabetes
Feature | Potential impact on self-management |
|---|---|
Presence of sweets, sugared drinks and other health-negative foods, perhaps supplied by relatives as "gifts" | Difficulty following diabetes diet |
Cramped housing | No dedicated place to keep diabetes monitoring equipment |
Multiple occupants in the home, sometimes from several generations | Psychosocial stress from limited privacy and intergenerational conflict, with [perceived] impact on blood glucose control, blood pressure and lifestyle choices e.g. alcohol, smoking |
Social problems within family (e.g. family member involved in drugs or crime; unemployment; domestic strife) | Psychosocial stress as above; family members less able to support the person with diabetes |
Computer not working | More difficult to access health information and advice |
Financial pressures | Food choices made primarily on the grounds of cost rather than nutritional value |
Conflict with neighbours e.g. noise through walls | Psychosocial stress as above |
Crime or fear of crime | Reluctance to exercise outside the home |