Volume 79, Issue 2, July 2025, Pages 142–149
Kabona Basara Joseph1 and Amuda Baba Dieu-Merci2
1 Assistant à l’Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Nyankunde (ISTM, Nyankunde), RD Congo
2 Professeur Associé, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Bunia (ISTM, Bunia), RD Congo
Original language: English
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This study was conducted to explore the psychosocial experience of diabetes by diabetics attending the Evangelical Medical Centre Nyankunde, Bunia Hospital Centre. It was carried out using the phenomenological method supported by semi-structured interviews with 30 diabetics. After analyzing and processing the data using content analysis, the study revealed that as soon as their diagnosis is announced, diabetics experience diabetes as a disappointment for some, as stressful for others, and as denial (non-acceptance of the disease ‘diabetes’). In the daily lives of diabetics after the diagnosis, diabetes is experienced as stress for some, for several reasons: a life of dependence, bankruptcy, giving up work, encouraging the onset of other illnesses, eating badly (adherence to a diabetic diet), taking medication at all times, suffering at all times, loss of self-image and, finally, depression for others. Socially, diabetes has an impact on the relationship between diabetics and those around them. The family maintains a good relationship despite their member being affected by diabetes. At work, there is a change in professional life, and at the hospital, there is a great deal of support through the good relationship between the nursing staff and diabetics, which gives the latter hope for life. As for the church, it demonstrates a good relationship with diabetics and is of great importance in their lives, as it introduces them first and foremost to God, who is the solution to every human problem. Although diabetics try to adapt to their condition with the support of members of their societies, diabetes remains a burden that requires awareness for its prevention and holistic support for its victims.
Author Keywords: psychosocial, experiences, diabetes, diabetics.
Kabona Basara Joseph1 and Amuda Baba Dieu-Merci2
1 Assistant à l’Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Nyankunde (ISTM, Nyankunde), RD Congo
2 Professeur Associé, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Bunia (ISTM, Bunia), RD Congo
Original language: English
Copyright © 2025 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
This study was conducted to explore the psychosocial experience of diabetes by diabetics attending the Evangelical Medical Centre Nyankunde, Bunia Hospital Centre. It was carried out using the phenomenological method supported by semi-structured interviews with 30 diabetics. After analyzing and processing the data using content analysis, the study revealed that as soon as their diagnosis is announced, diabetics experience diabetes as a disappointment for some, as stressful for others, and as denial (non-acceptance of the disease ‘diabetes’). In the daily lives of diabetics after the diagnosis, diabetes is experienced as stress for some, for several reasons: a life of dependence, bankruptcy, giving up work, encouraging the onset of other illnesses, eating badly (adherence to a diabetic diet), taking medication at all times, suffering at all times, loss of self-image and, finally, depression for others. Socially, diabetes has an impact on the relationship between diabetics and those around them. The family maintains a good relationship despite their member being affected by diabetes. At work, there is a change in professional life, and at the hospital, there is a great deal of support through the good relationship between the nursing staff and diabetics, which gives the latter hope for life. As for the church, it demonstrates a good relationship with diabetics and is of great importance in their lives, as it introduces them first and foremost to God, who is the solution to every human problem. Although diabetics try to adapt to their condition with the support of members of their societies, diabetes remains a burden that requires awareness for its prevention and holistic support for its victims.
Author Keywords: psychosocial, experiences, diabetes, diabetics.
How to Cite this Article
Kabona Basara Joseph and Amuda Baba Dieu-Merci, “Psychosocial experience of diabetes by diabetics attending the Evangelical Medical Centre Nyankunde, Bunia Hospital centre, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo,” International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 142–149, July 2025.
