Factors Associated with Diabetes Preventive Behavior among People Aged 35 Years and Older in Nongbua Sub-district, Nongbua District, Trang

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to 1) examine diabetes preventive behavior and 2) factors associated with diabetes preventive behavior among people aged 35 years and older in Nongbua sub-district, Nongbua district, Trang province. Collected the data from three hundred and forty-two subjects of people aged 35 years and older in Nongbua sub-district, Nongbua district, Trang province. The instrument was a questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient associated with factors, and diabetes preventive behavior were used for data analysis.

The results showed that 1) subjects mainly were at medium levels of diabetes preventive behavior among people aged 35 years and older (X̄ = 3.06, S.D. = 0.46). 2) Education level is related to diabetes prevention behavior, statistically significant at 0.01. Income, knowledge about diabetes prevention, and perception of the risk of developing diabetes, there was a very low positive correlation with diabetes prevention behaviors, statistically significant at the 0.05 level (r = 0.113, 0.021, 0.117, p-value < 0.05). Perceived severity of diabetes had a fragile positive relationship with diabetes prevention behaviors, statistically significant at the 0.01 level (r = 0.141, p-value < 0.01), and perception of barriers to diabetes has a shallow negative relationship with diabetes prevention behavior, statistically significant at the 0.01 level (r = -0.192, p-value < 0.01). As for gender, age, marital status, occupation, and perceived benefits of diabetes prevention, there is no relationship with diabetes prevention behavior. The results of this research can be used as basic information for modifying behavior to prevent disease.