Managing type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a qualitative study

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of many including individuals living with chronic illnesses such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Ghana. This study aimed to explore how people living with T2DM managed their chronic condition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study employed the phenomenological approach where interviews were conducted among 10 participants at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore the experiences of participants during the pandemic, focusing on participants' perceptions about COVID-19 and diabetes management, adherence to treatment regimen during the pandemic, experiences of psychological distress, and coping strategies employed. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Four themes were identified related to participants' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. These were (1) participants' perceptions about COVID-19, (2) changes and challenges with diabetes management, (3) psychosocial impact of COVID-19, and (4) coping with diabetes care during the pandemic. Some participants perceived that having diabetes meant they would automatically get infected with COVID-19. All the participants reported experiencing challenges with their diabetes management during the pandemic though a few of them recorded improvements in diabetes management. Psychosocial effects reported were stigmatisation, fear, worry, and sadness, due to the ban on social gatherings. Notwithstanding these psychosocial challenges, participants indicated that maintaining diabetes care, engaging in recreational activities, support from family, and religious coping, were strategies used to lessen the COVID-19 psychological distress experienced.

Findings suggest that people with T2DM should be given psychological support and psychoeducation on appropriate coping skills during pandemics and other unexpected occurrences that could affect their diabetes management.