Gender differences in living with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the major form of diabetes prevalent in our country. It demands medical, social, economic and behavioral adjustments. Woman and the girl-child have been shown to have poorer access to medical care. We have therefore evaluated the psychological adjustments in living with diabetes and compared the differences between men and women. Three questionnaires were administered to 226 type 2 diabetes persons: quality of life, well being and psychological adjustment to a diabetes scale. Living with diabetes (LVD) score was obtained by summing up the scores on all three scales. The first quartile on the score were taken as living ineffectively with diabetes (n:56) and those in the last quartile were taken as living effectively (n:55). Men scored higher on LVD scores. They reported higher positive well being, in contrast to women with low LVD who had more anxiety, social worry and decreased ability to cope with the disease. Women must therefore be advised to develop a more positive attitude towards the disease and its management.