Health Belief Model about Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand:
The Culture Consensus Analysis
Background:
Diabetes is a chronic disease, which requires patient participation. The outcome of treatment
depends on the patient health belief model (HBM) and illness perception.
Objective:
To evaluate the HBM and illness perception in diabetic patients by culture consensus analysis model.
Material and Method:
Fifty diabetic patients were randomly selected at the out patient diabetic clinic from
4 hospitals, Maharaj Lampang hospital , Maharaj Nakorn rachasrima hospital, Hadyai hospital, and Lerdsin
hospital to represent 4 regions of Thailand. Data from each patient was collected by using questionnaire.
Anthropac version 4.98 was used to do consensus analysis
Results:
Two-hundred diabetic patients from four political regions were assessed. Only Songkla culture
showed a diabetes heath belief pattern at the eigenvalue ratio at 3.8 and competency score at 0.72
+ 11
(mean
+ SD). This pattern was created because Sonkla had more diabetes knowledge sources compared to
other regions (p = 0.01). The ability of Songkla member to fit in the group was not related to any medical and
socioeconomic factor (p > 0.05). The authors postulated that past experience or culture might determine this.
Songkla diabetes beliefs were described and compared to biomedically correct information. The treatment
process based on HBM and illness perception concepts were also discussed. The result of the research led to
a Lerdsin diabetes self help group in the hospital.
Conclusion:
From this study, Thailand does not have HBM about diabetes mellitus. Only the Songkla
community does. Past experience and culture might determine the pattern of HBM in this community.
Keywords:
Health beliefs, Diabetes mellitus, Illness perception, Culture consensus