The Relation between Perceived Social Support And Related Factors with Glycemic Control among Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Several factors play a role in controlling diabetes. Perceived social support such as family and friends is one of the most important social factors in diabetes control. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between perceived social support and related factors with standard indicator of diabetes control [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C)] among type 2 diabetic patients. 317 diabetic patients were studied who referred to hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences، Iran، during 6 months in 2011. The data collecting tool was a multidimensional scale including three parts. First part included socio demographic and health related data، the second part was perceived social support scale from family (20 items) and the third part consisted of perceived social support scale from friends (20 items). HbA1C was collected from current medical records of type 2 diabetic patients. Collected data was then analyzed. Study findings showed that some variables such as age (P = 0. 01)، body mass index (BMI) (P = 0. 05)، sex (P = 0. 05)، marital status (P < 0. 001)، disease duration (p < 0. 001)، occupation (P < 0. 001) and level of education (P = 0. 006) in the perceived social support from friends had a significant relation with HbA1C. Some variables such as age (P < 0. 001)، BMI (P < 0. 001)، sex (P < 0. 001)، marital status (P < 0. 001) and disease duration (P < 0. 001) in the perceived social support from family had a significant relation with HbA1C. Perceived support from family and friends was associated with glycemic control in diabetes. Therefore، the need to focus on the sources of perceived social support in patients with type 2 diabetes، with focusing on the social and economic factors becomes more evident.