The Relationship between Socioeconomic Factors and their Effects on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Considering the effect of socioeconomic factors on the appearance of chronic diseases, and also the importance of this issue for policy makers of health care services, we tried to assess the role socioeconomic factors have in diabetes complications. This survey may have some benefits in prevention and control of diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 diabetic patients who referred to a diabetes center in Isfahan. The subjects were selected using simple random sampling. A questionnaire with 42 questions was used in order to measure the outcomes of type 2 diabetes and its relation with socioeconomic status. Chi-square and Fisher's statistical tests were performed in SPSS software to analyze the data. Study population consisted of 52.1% male and 47.9% female subjects. There was a statistically significant association between diabetes complications and age group, education level, job status, type of communication with family members, number of visits and the security level provided by the family, type of leisure time activities, health status, years with diabetes, smoking, type of treatment, fried food consumption and income group (P < 0.001), sense of security and communication in living environment (P < 0.002) and daily use of vegetable groups (P < 0.02). Findings demonstrated that some socioeconomic factors had effects on the outcomes of type 2 diabetes. Employing supportive strategies and resources for chronic disease sufferers seems very important. Empowerment strategies can induce basic changes in order to increase positive expectations, hope, self- esteem and self- confidence in patients. This is the exact strategy which must be used to efficiently control diabetes and its complications among patients.