Perceived Obstacles to Diabetes Care and Self-Management and Their Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adults in Central Java, Indonesia

Niken Safitri Dyan Kusumaningrum; Fitria Handayani; Zulfida Rahma Cahyani; Nur Suci Nilamsari; Estuning Budi Utami; Monica Adelia Puspitasari; Khofifah Lusiana

doi:10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.69749

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.69749

Perceived Obstacles to Diabetes Care and Self-Management and Their Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adults in Central Java, Indonesia

*Niken Safitri Dyan Kusumaningrum

- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Fitria Handayani

- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Zulfida Rahma Cahyani - Undergraduate Nursing Program, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Nur Suci Nilamsari - Undergraduate Nursing Program, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Estuning Budi Utami - Undergraduate Nursing Program, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Monica Adelia Puspitasari - Undergraduate Nursing Program, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

Khofifah Lusiana - Undergraduate Nursing Program, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{NMJN69749,
    author = {Niken Safitri Dyan Kusumaningrum and Fitria Handayani and Zulfida Rahma Cahyani and Nur Suci Nilamsari and Estuning Budi Utami and Monica Adelia Puspitasari and Khofifah Lusiana},
    title = {Perceived Obstacles to Diabetes Care and Self-Management and Their Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adults in Central Java, Indonesia},
    journal = {Nurse Media Journal of Nursing},
  volume = {16},
    number = {1},
    year = {2026},
    keywords = {Diabetes mellitus; self-management barriers; Indonesia; primary health care; sociodemographic factors},
    abstract = {  Background:  Effective diabetes management requires sustained commitment and heightened awareness. Individuals with diabetes often face multiple obstacles that affect daily functioning and long-term health outcomes. However, evidence describing specific obstacles among people with diabetes in Indonesia, particularly in Central Java, remains limited.   Purpose:  This study aimed to examine the prevalence and domains of perceived diabetes-related obstacles among adults living with diabetes and to assess their associations with sociodemographic characteristics.   Methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with diabetes attending public health centres in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were consecutively recruited if they were aged ≥18 years, had a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes, and had no known cognitive impairment. Individuals who were acutely ill were excluded. Data were collected using the 57-item Bahasa Indonesia version of the Diabetic Obstacle Questionnaire (DOQ), which covers eight domains of diabetes-related challenges. Independent t-tests and multiple linear regression were used to examine associations between obstacle scores and selected sociodemographic characteristics.   Results:  A total of 237 participants were included (mean age = 61.96 years), the majority of whom were female, with a mean diabetes duration of 8.16 ± 7.39 years. The highest perceived obstacles were observed in the diagnosis domain (−21.36 ± 33.39). Bivariate analysis showed that education level ( p  = .002) and diabetes duration ( p  = .045) were significantly associated with obstacles related to knowledge and beliefs, while random blood glucose level was associated with obstacles related to advice and support ( p  = .029). Multivariable analysis further identified education level, employment status, diabetes duration, and glycaemic control as significant predictors across selected domains.   Conclusion:  Although perceived barriers to diabetes management were generally low, challenges persist in the domains of diagnosis, knowledge, and support. These findings highlight the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as sociocultural context, in shaping diabetes-related obstacles. Culturally responsive, person-centred interventions are needed to improve self-management and health outcomes. },
   issn = {2406-8799},  doi = {10.14710/nmjn.v16i1.69749},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/medianers/article/view/69749}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

Background: Effective diabetes management requires sustained commitment and heightened awareness. Individuals with diabetes often face multiple obstacles that affect daily functioning and long-term health outcomes. However, evidence describing specific obstacles among people with diabetes in Indonesia, particularly in Central Java, remains limited.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and domains of perceived diabetes-related obstacles among adults living with diabetes and to assess their associations with sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals with diabetes attending public health centres in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Participants were consecutively recruited if they were aged ≥18 years, had a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes, and had no known cognitive impairment. Individuals who were acutely ill were excluded. Data were collected using the 57-item Bahasa Indonesia version of the Diabetic Obstacle Questionnaire (DOQ), which covers eight domains of diabetes-related challenges. Independent t-tests and multiple linear regression were used to examine associations between obstacle scores and selected sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: A total of 237 participants were included (mean age = 61.96 years), the majority of whom were female, with a mean diabetes duration of 8.16 ± 7.39 years. The highest perceived obstacles were observed in the diagnosis domain (−21.36 ± 33.39). Bivariate analysis showed that education level (p = .002) and diabetes duration (p = .045) were significantly associated with obstacles related to knowledge and beliefs, while random blood glucose level was associated with obstacles related to advice and support (p = .029). Multivariable analysis further identified education level, employment status, diabetes duration, and glycaemic control as significant predictors across selected domains.

Conclusion: Although perceived barriers to diabetes management were generally low, challenges persist in the domains of diagnosis, knowledge, and support. These findings highlight the influence of sociodemographic and clinical factors, as well as sociocultural context, in shaping diabetes-related obstacles. Culturally responsive, person-centred interventions are needed to improve self-management and health outcomes.

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Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; self-management barriers; Indonesia; primary health care; sociodemographic factors

Funding: Universitas Diponegoro

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Section: Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 16, No 1 (2026): (April 2026) [In Progress]

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Perceived Obstacles to Diabetes Care and Self-Management and Their Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adults in Central Java, Indonesia

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