Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Middle-Aged Population of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

This research protocol design is aimed at exploring the qualitative health research in self-management of Type 2 diabetes and patient’s perceptions and experiences of undertaking physical activity and eating behaviour as part of their diabetes self-management. In addition, the study would analyze how the health issue related to diabetes is viewed and addressed in the community (Pakistan and Saudi Arabia) and would use the concepts of socio-ecological approach to self-management of Type 2 diabetes and explore the factors affecting the self-management practices in these countries. The other objective of this protocol is to examine the role of physical inactivity and obesity in the development of Type 2 diabetes and its self-management in middle-aged population living in rural area of Pakistan and to evaluate a lifestyle intervention (Physical Activity and Diet) in the management of Type 2 diabetes. The brief review conducted in this protocol design will identify the potential areas of health care which need attention including the overall functioning of community healthcare clinics to diabetes care in terms of recognizing the symptoms of diabetes to early detection and diagnosis, easy access to community doctors. This review will impress upon the need to recognize that in developing strategies and interventions to address diabetes, self-care, family support, community education and community ownership are important and it will be demonstrated by the comparison of two culturally diversified populations of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in relation to the self-management of Type 2 diabetes.