Buddhist values are associated with better diabetes control in Thai patients.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the associations of Buddhist values with medication and dietary self-care, healthcare use, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level among Thai patients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
A total of 173 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were surveyed at two public hospitals in Bangkok. While waiting for doctors' appointments, the patients completed a questionnaire measuring Buddhist values and dietary and medication self-care activities. Doctor visits and HbA1c were taken from patient medical records.


RESULTS
Higher scores for Buddhist values were significantly correlated with better medication self-care (r = .25, p = .001), better dietary self-care (r = .21, p = .007), and more doctor visits in the previous 12 months (r - .34, p = .0001). In a hierarchical regression analysis, stronger Buddhist values were significantly associated with a lower HbA1c, even after controlling for socio-demographic and dietary self-care (R2 change = .03, F(1, 161) = 6.00, p = .015).


CONCLUSIONS
Buddhist values may promote diabetes self-care among Thai patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the relationship of Buddhist values to diabetes-specific health behaviors and neuroendocrine outcomes.
Sowattanangoon
Napaporn
N
Mahidol University, Thailand.
Kochabhakdi
Naipinich
N
Petrie
Keith J
KJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002016:Buddhism / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D013785:Thailand
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin