Exercise as Component of Standard Diabetes Management, the Challenges to Improve Performance among Sudanese Type 2 Diabetes ()
1. Introduction
Standard behavior management [1] and psychological well-being in patients with diabetes are fundamental challenge to achieve the recommended goals of diabetes [2]. The standard diabetes management is based on patient-centered approach; encompasses diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES), medical nutrition therapy (MNT), regular physical activity, smoking cessation counseling when needed, and psychosocial care.
Physical activity is the widened terminology that is identified as any body movement resulting from muscle contraction and causes energy expenditure above the basal metabolic level. Physical activity encompasses all activities and the individuals can carry out during the day such as occupational, household, travelling, sport, playing etc [3]. On the other hand, exercise is planned and structured physical activity [4] and considered as subdivision of physical activity, whilst in some references, physical activity and exercise are used interchangeably [5]. Exercise is an important component of standard diabetes management and it is proved that regular exercise improves blood glucose [6], protects against hazard of cardiovascular diseases, effectively reduces weight [7], increase insulin sensitivity and strengthens patients’ general health [8]. Moreover, regular exercise can prevent or delay type 2 DM in those of high risk populations [9]. Conversely, physical inactivity is main reason of chronic diseases such as type 2 DM, coronary heart diseases, breast and colon cancer, and shortens life expectancy [10]. Although there are great benefits of regular exercise, unfortunately majority of people with type 2 diabetes are not active [11]. Frequency and type of exercise program should be stated after complete evaluation of diabetic patient health.
There are many types of exercise such as aerobic, resistance (strength), balance and flexibility (stretching) exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as any activity that uses large muscle groups, can do continuously and as rhythmic pattern. Examples of aerobic exercise encompass cycling, hiking, long distance running, swimming and walking [12] Resistance exercise, such as pushups and lifting light an objects, are prescribed to increase strength and enlarge muscle mass [13]. Flexibility exercise such as high knees and back kicks is useful to enhance joints to be more flexible, and prevent stiffness. Flexibility exercise can be more beneficial for patients with type 2 DM who may not be able to perform other physical activities due to secondary complications such as, neuropathies, hypertension, and limb amputation [14] etc. Balance exercise such as walking on one leg at a time and walking backwards or sideways helps individuals to keep balance and prevents from falling down.
No studies had assessed attitude and determinants to exercise in patients with T2DM although great benefits are as component of the disease management. This cross sectional study aimed to explore attitudes and barriers to exercise in RUHDC. More over the study aimed to be a base for longitudinal study in all Sudanese diabetes centers.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Design, Setting and Participants
This cross-sectional hospital based study was a part of large study conducted at RUHDC, Khartoum state, Sudan during 2012-2017. The section regarding this paper was done from August 2012 to February 2013. A number of 351 type 2 diabetes were included in this study.
2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Patients aged ≥ 18 diagnosed as T2DM; on regular mediation at least three months was selected in this study along the period of the study.
2.3. Sample Size
All patients (100%) attended to RUHDC during study period and met criteria were enrolled in the study.
2.4. Tools of Data Collection
Self-administered questionnaire formulated in collaboration with staff-members in Ribat University; faculty of pharmacy according to updated literature. Finally questionnaire revised by medical providers who are expert in diabetes management to ensure validity. We informed patients about the aim of the study and then ten copies of questionnaire distributed for the pilot study. Minor changes were done on questionnaire contents for further validity assurance. Questionnaire then translated to Arabic to make patients interview more fluent. We used also Patients cards to confirm some patients’ data.
2.5. Assessment of Exercise Types and Barriers to Regular Exercise
Personal interview was held to collect data. The questionnaire formulated of five main items and each one consisted of branched items. The main items of the questionnaire included: 1) Patients socio-demographic profile, 2) list of patients co-morbidity, 3) had you regular exercise program? 4) what were the barriers to regular exercise (Table 1)? and 5) what were the type (s) of physical activity you perform?
2.6. Specific Definitions in Questionnaire
Diagnosis of T2DM was defined according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria [15]. Regular exercise was defined as performing of ≥150 minute
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Table 1. Assessment of barriers for regular exercise (question No (4) in the study questionnaire)
of moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise per week for fit patient. Hypertension defined as blood pressure ≥ 130/80, whilst other co-morbidities were specified by specialized physician [15].
2.7. Data Analysis
All data were analyzed using social package for social science (SPSS) version 16. Descriptive statistics expressed as percentage. Chi square used as appropriate and level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.
3. Results
From a total of 351 diabetic patients attended RUHDC female were 65.8%, male 34.2%, Patients their age above 60 years were 48.4%, illiterate 21.0%, only 44.2% had basic educational level, house wife 56.1% and retired were 18.5% (Table 2). Majority of patients (80.1%) had no regular exercise program (Figure 1), 12.1% identified lack of time whilst 87.9% did not specify any other reasons as barrier for regular exercise “no reason” (Figure 2) and 59.8% considered “daily activities” as enough type of physical activity (Figure 3). Co-morbidity was 54.4% and 41.9% of them had irregular exercise (Table 2). Although insignificant, irregular exercise was higher among female (53.5%), patients their age above 60 years (36.8%), patients had low education levels (51.8%) [basic + illiterate], had co-morbidity (41.9%) and those had financial problems (49.9%) (Table 2).
4. Discussion
Physical activity or specifically exercise has positive effects on diabetes management; reflecting on protection against long-term complications and strength of the patients’ general health. However, few patients with diabetes have regular physical activity [11].
Only one fifth of our patients had regular exercise program, and this low findings of regular exercise is consistent with that reported by many studies such as Janaki et al. study reported 21.3% [16], Sibai et al. from Lebanon reported 10% [17], Morrato et al. from U.S reported 39% [18] and Kamuhabwa et al. study from
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Figure 1. Patients’ distribution according presence of regular exercise program
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Figure 2. Patients’ barriers for regular exercise program
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Figure 3. Patients’ distribution according to types of exercise
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Table 2. Patients socio-demographic, co-morbidity and their association with presence of regular exercise program.
Tanzania reported 33% had regular exercise [19].
American College of Sports Medicine and American Diabetes Association recommend aerobic training for at least 150 min per week and additionally resistance training at least 2 - 3 days per week together with drugs treatment as standard for diabetes management [6]. Approximately one third in this study carried aerobic (walk and running) and resistance exercises. Unfortunately, the vast majority of our patients performed these important activities irregularly and thus the patients deprived themselves from the sufficient benefits of standard diabetes management. On the other hand, more than one-half of our patients considered daily activities as enough type of exercise. Although the benefits of daily activity is less effective than regular exercise in management of T2DM; nevertheless it can considered as of beneficial clinical outcomes especially for older patients and those consider lack of time as barrier of regular exercise [20].
Although it is controversy, literature revealed varieties of factors, that affect physical activity such as patients’ socio-economic and demographic characteristics, negative family history of DM, far distance from health centers, lack of time and depression [16] [18] [21] [22].
Physical activity in our study was low among female, individuals older above 60 years, those had financial problems and patients had low education. This findings consistent with Nelson et al. study [23] who reported low activity was among older, female, and those with low incomes. In contrast to our findings Morrato and his colleagues study reported no relation between physical activity, sex and education level [18]. Moreover, contrary to our findings Salam and his colleagues from Saudi Arabia reported that women were more active [24].
Lack of time as external factor is important barrier for regular exercise [24] [25], however only few of our patients considered lack of time as barrier of regular exercise, whilst majority did not defined specific reason for irregular exercise. These findings may be explained by high percent of low education level among our patients, thus negatively reflected on knowledge and attitude towards exercise and diabetes management as general. More over psychological barrier may contribute to these findings; specifically among patients their age’s ≥ 65. According to American diabetes association, screening for cognitive impairment and depression should be carried out for older diabetes (aged ≥ 65 years) [2] [note that 48.4% of our patients were older than 65 years].
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
Regular exercise as component of diabetes management was low among our patients. Lack of time, female, patients older than 60 years, had low education levels and had financial problems, which were the main barriers of regular exercise. Interventions include approach to further address barriers for regular exercise and tailored educational program regarding importance of regular exercise in diabetes management. Using of social media, such as SMS and whatsapp massages, as tool of education, can poster traditional face-to-face education. Additionally, encouraging patients to increase their daily activities and decrease extensive use of technology and modern living as far as possible, can serve effectively in improving percent of physical activity. Family support is essential motivator for individuals’ readiness to change.
6. Limitation
This work was carried out in single tertiary hospital that limited the findings to be for all Sudanese population. Data regarding physical activity in this study was obtained by self-report and may be limited by recall bias. Nevertheless, the study findings, as first study it had done in Sudan, provided valuable information that can help researchers to conduct studies that are more qualified in the future. This paper was a part of master thesis conducted 6 years ago; in this long period no Sudanese study was published regarding exercise among diabetes, therefore it is highly significant for this work to be published to constitute a concrete base line for researchers and to motivate the subsequent studies in Sudan.
Acknowledgements
Deep thank to staff members of Ribat University, faculty of pharmacy and great thank to the RUHDC staff members for their help during the period of data collection. Thanks a lot to my patients who allowed me patiently to interview them.