Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak in Healthcare of People with Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

Fatjona Kamberi; Vjollca Ndreu; Enkeleda Sinaj; Ilirjana Zekja; Jerina Jaho

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.10753

Authors

Fatjona Kamberi Research Centre of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Vlore ”Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania
Vjollca Ndreu Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Medicine Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Enkeleda Sinaj Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Medicine Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Ilirjana Zekja Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Medicine Tirana, Tirana, Albania
Jerina Jaho Research Centre of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Vlore ”Ismail Qemali”, Vlore, Albania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.10753

Keywords:

Type 2 diabetes, COVID-19 pandemic, Impact, Healthcare, Albania

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the health care of type 2 diabetes patients and identify the correlated factors.

Research Design and Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2020 to February 2021. The study enrolled 400 adults with type 2 diabetes aged 40–65 with at least one other chronic illness receiving health services in primary care in Vlore, Albania. A short questionnaire based on literature, taking into account the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, was used for the data collection. The administration of the questionnaire was done by trained nurses. All participants gave their written informed consent before administering the questionnaire. Two-tailed Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to test the correlations.

Results

Among 400 patients with type 2 diabetes in the study, 53.0% were female and 47.0% were men. Most of the participants were married (n = 303) with a high level of education (54.3%). Treatment was mainly with oral medications (58.0%). Based on body mass index, 63.0% of participants were overweight. Employment status (p = 003), the type of treatment, oral medication vs insulin (p = 001), body mass index (p = 001), and living alone (p = 008) were the more correlated factors.

Conclusions

Care of type 2 diabetic patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic is closely associated with social determinants of health and the resources of healthcare settings. The need to address innovative approaches to care including self-care, social support, and e-health is recommended.

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