results of the diabetes patients for comparison. The integration in this study were presented through joint display in a table format. The type of integration used in this study is merging both quantitative and qualitative results from survey and interviews respectively, to relate qualitative themes to survey scores. The integration of the results addressed the following mixed method objective of the study:
Table 4.22: Mixed method results for diabetes patients
Joint display for merging quantitative and qualitative results
Quantitative Qualitative Comment
Nutrition diabetes care
81% of participants indicated that nutrition plays an important part in diabetes management.
All participants indicated that they are able to do house chores because of the food they eat. Participant 11 emphasized that her diabetes is controlled because of how she eats.
The results correspond and demonstrate that diabetes patients understand importance of nutrition in diabetes care.
89% of participants know that they should eat fruits and vegetables. Only 35% and 42% eat fruits and vegetables regularly.
All participants indicated that they eat fruits and vegetables almost daily, although consumption in determined by availability.
Only one participant who sells fruits indicated consistent daily consumption.
The results correspond on the knowledge of eating fruits and vegetables, and the less than 50% of those eating fruits and vegetables regularly could be attributed to intake being affected by f availability as mentioned by qualitative participants.
86%, 89% and 84% of participants indicated that it is good to reduce or avoid salty, sugary, and fried food respectively. On the other hand, 57%, 58% and 68% never ate salty, sugary and fried food respectively.
All participants highlighted knowledge of the avoidance or reduction of intake of sugary, salty and fatty food. However, 4 participants indicated that they sometimes eat these foods which they know they aren’t supposed to eat due to various factors. Participant 2 indicated that she doesn’t eat sugary food but take raw sugar alone.
The results correspond on knowledge of the avoidance or reduction of intake of salty, sugary and fried food. Also, over half of the participants from quantitative strand never ate salty, sugary or fried food which could be correlated with views of participants from qualitative strand who indicated that they sometimes find themselves eating food which they aren’t supposed to eat.
83% of participants know that they should eat small frequent meals and that eating large portion sizes should be avoided.
Only 8 of the 17 participants know that they should eat small frequent meals, even though they indicated that they mostly eat large portion sizes, and only 3 eat small portion sizes.
The results don’t correspond on the knowledge on intake of small frequent meals. Therefore, there is a need to educate on the importance of eating small frequent meals.
96% of participants indicated that they eat starchy food regularly 96%.
All participants indicated that they daily consume starchy food, of which porridge is the mainly consumed starch.
Results correspond on the intake of starchy food.
Only 29% of participants eat breakfast regularly
All participants indicated that they eat breakfast daily in order to take medication.
The time of consumption of breakfast varies greatly.
Less quantitative participants eat breakfast as compared to qualitative participants.
Exercise diabetes care
84% of participants know the importance of exercise in diabetes care. 83% are exercising, of which 45% exercise by doing household chores.
All participants know the importance of exercise and are exercising daily by doing household chores.
Both quantitative and qualitative participants know importance of exercise and exercising. However less than half of quantitative participants exercise by doing household chores.
82% of participants know that exercise prevents against complications (82%).
4 of the 17 participants indicated that exercise is important because it help them in preventing against diseases.
More quantitative participants indicated knowledge of exercise preventing complications.
Only 7% of participants know that 30 minutes, 3 days is recommended
None of the participants indicated knowledge of exercise prescription.
There is a poor understanding or knowledge of exercise prescription in both quantitative and qualitative participants.
minimum amount of exercise that they should get in a week.
Multidisciplinary team
94% and 90% of participants showed willingness to consult dietitian and physiotherapists.
All participants indicated that they are willing to consult dietitians and physiotherapists in future.
The willingness to consult both dietitian and physiotherapist is the same in both quantitative and qualitative participants.
95% and 93% of participants are willing to follow dietary and exercise prescription.
All participants showed good attitudes and their willingness to follow dietary and exercise prescriptions from the healthcare workers, including wearing of appropriate shoes.
Both quantitative and qualitative participants demonstrate good attitudes towards dietary and exercise prescription.
Family
96% of participants indicated that their families know about their diabetes diagnosis.
All participants indicated that their families particularly their partners and children know about their diabetes diagnosis.
Both quantitative and qualitative participants have disclosed their diagnosis to the families.
53% of participants eat food prepared by their children.
All participants indicated that they eat food prepared by their children, although 8 of the participants highlighted that they most eat food eaten by themselves.
All qualitative participants eat food prepared by their children as compared to just over a half of quantitative participants.
Glucometers
Only 11% has glucometers. Only two participants own glucometers. Personal ownership of glucometers is a challenge and unable patients to check their glucose regularly.
Self-care practices
76% of participants know that they should eat before and after exercise, including drinking fast acting carbohydrate drinks when engaging in prolonged exercise.
All participants showed knowledge of eating before exercising. However, further alluded that they sometimes find themselves exercising before eating for various factors.
Both quantitative and qualitative participants know importance of eating before and after exercise even though qualitative participants further indicated lack of adherence.
Only 19% of participants know the glucose readings.
None of the participants know glucose readings including those owning glucometers. Participants indicated that their ability to perform household chores implies that their glucose is fine.
There is generally poor knowledge of glucose readings.
3% and 4% checked blood glucose before and after exercise regularly.
None of the participants checked glucose levels before and after exercise.
Lack of knowledge of glucose readings and none- ownership of glucometers could be reason why glucose is not being checked before and after exercise.
Traditional medication
Only 4% uses traditional medicine to control diabetes.
Only participant 1 and 8 indicated consultation of traditional healers and religious healers to control diabetes.
The quantitative and qualitative results correspond and shows that the province does fairly well in defeating control of diabetes using traditional medication.