title: Social Influences of Help-Seeking Behaviour Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia.
abstract: This qualitative study aimed to explore the influence of social networks such as family members, friends, peers, and health care providers toward the help-seeking behaviour (HSB) of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the public and private primary care settings. In-depth interviews of 12 patients, 9 family members, and 5 health care providers, as well as 3 focus groups among 13 health care providers were conducted. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim for qualitative analysis. Social influences play a significant role in the help-seeking process; once diagnosed, patients source information from people around them to make decisions. This significant influence depends on the relationship between patients and social networks or the level of trust, support, and comforting feeling. Thus, the impacts on patients' help-seeking behavior are varied. However, the help-seeking process is not solely an individual's concern but a dynamic process interacting with the social networks within the health care system.
authors.affiliation: University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Institute for Health Systems Research, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia lowleelan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Lee Lan
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Seng Fah
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wah Yun
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Low
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D035502:Trust; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Malaysia; family members; health care providers; peers; primary care setting; qualitative study; social media; type 2 diabetes mellitus