The development and implementation of coping strategies for people living with diabetes mellitus to adapt to changing temperatures at health centres of Limpopo province,South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: Several parts of South Africa, including Limpopo Province, have been experiencing high temperatures with limited rainfall and desertification. The effects of both cold and hot temperatures have been noticed with higher susceptibility among People Living with Diabetes Mellitus (PLDM). The heat weakens their thermoregulatory and orthostatic responses because they respond to high temperatures. During cold periods the apparent loss of efferent vasomotor control during diabetes neuropathy was particularly evident. Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to develop and implement the coping strategies for PLDM to adapt to changing temperatures at the health care centres of Limpopo Province. Methods: A mixed method exploratory sequential research design was used, which is collecting and analyzing qualitative data, based on qualitative results. A questionnaire was developed for qualitative data collection. The study population consisted of all PLDM for more than a year who come for treatment at the health care centres of Limpopo Province. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling methods were used to select 185 participants for the research study. Data were analyzed by Tesch’s open-coding method and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) with the assistance of the university Biostatistician. Results: PLDM experiences many challenges with regard to the impact of changing temperatures. PLDM have expressed different coping strategies to adopt to changing temperatures, perceived learning needs on coping strategies during changing temperatures, and the description of available services to address challenges related to changing temperatures. Conclusion: To assist PLDM to adapt to changing temperatures, ongoing implementation of coping strategies should be instituted. The Limpopo Province Department of Health has to offer scheduled continuous in-service training sessions about the impact of changing temperatures on PLDM for all categories of nurses.