Association between Unmet Needs for Informal support and Diabetes-related Distress among People Living with Type 2 Diabetes in Vietnam: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Diabetes-related distress (DRD) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with reduced quality of life. Lower levels of DRD were found in people who received informal support. The prevalence of T2D in Vietnam is rapidly increasing. Yet, the prevalence of DRD and its association with informal social support have not been investigated. The present investigate the prevalence of DRD and its association with unmet needs for informal support in people with T2D in Vietnam. Methods: A total of 806 people, age ³40 years, diagnosed with T2D in Thai Binh, Vietnam, completed a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey. DRD was self-reported, based on the Problem Areas In Diabetes scale 5 (PAID 5). We assessed 6 types of unmet needs for informal support from family/friends/community including: (i) Transport and company when visiting health facilities; (ii) Reminders to take medication; (iii) Purchase and preparation of food; (iv) Reminders to engage in physical exercise; (v) Emotional support; and (vi) Financial support. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model DRD as an outcome of each type of unmet need for informal support, and as an outcome of the number of unmet needs for informal support, adjusted for three sets of covariates. Results: The prevalence of DRD in people with T2D was 50.0%. Odds for DRD were higher among those who had unmet needs for emotional support and financial support as compared to those with met needs (OR=2.59, CI95%: 1.19-5.63 and OR= 1.63, CI95%: 1.10 -2.40, respectively). People who had more than one type of unmet need was not a higher risk of DRD as compared to those with only one type of unmet need. Conclusions: Half of the people with T2D had DRD. DRD was associated with unmet needs for emotional and financial support. The findings suggest that in order to prevent or reverse DRD, family members and others providing informal support should be included in health programs and interventions targeting people with T2D in Vietnam and similar settings.