Life and care situation of turkish migrant men and women diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus type 2

Abstract

Purpose This study aims at exploring the life and care situation among the often vulnerable population of elderly diabetics of Turkish decent in Hamburg. Furthermore, it strives to work out possible differences between female and male patients in this subgroup. Background The German population is very diverse. There are many studies on diabetes mellitus type 2 among the indigenous population, but little is known about the coping with diabetes among persons with a migrant background. International and national studies show influences of socio-economic and other factors on well-being and self-assessed Quality of Life (QoL) among diabetics; and also gender differences are reported in these contexts. Methods Statistical analysis has been performed to test for in- and between-groups differences among a sample of 203 Turkish diabetics in Hamburg. Results Women have a significantly lower self-assessed QoL and report different needs for further diabetes training and higher grades of dependency than men. Female respondents also performed significantly lower considering education and availability of social support. There is no gender difference in diabetes literacy, both groups scored rather low. Women report a significant higher need for further diabetes training than men though. Analyzing self-assessed QoL against the background whether patients are enrolled or not enrolled in the Disease Management Program (DMP) came to the result that female participants rate their QoL higher when taking part in the DMP, while for male participants, the opposite is the case. Conclusions Results on QoL, levels of dependency, socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, and health-related data imply that there are other stressors for female Turkish diabetics than their male counterparts. Women’s greater need for training may reflect a different way of coping with and acceptance of diabetes.