Lived experiences of diabetes self-management among persons with disabilities in rural Tamil Nadu – a case study approach

People with disabilities have numerous challenges in diabetes self-management. Poor self-management leads to the worsening of disability and secondary complications of diabetes. This study was conducted to explore the challenges in diabetes self-management and the factors influencing diabetes self-management among people with disabilities. We conducted 16 case studies among people with physical, neurological, visual, hearing, and multiple disabilities who were affected by diabetes. We adopted a thematic content analysis approach to analyse the data. People with disabilities have challenges in adopting healthy diets as they are unable to purchase and consume fruits and vegetables which are costly, unavailable, and inaccessible. They have difficulty in doing physical activity due to lack of inclusive public spaces which are inaccessible, lack of motivation, and dependence on others for their mobility. Irregular drug supply in the public health system and unaffordable cost of drugs hamper adherence to medications. Laboratories are inaccessible to people with disabilities thus preventing monitoring of blood sugars. They have poor quality of life, life with pain and mental health issues, which prevent adoption of self-management behaviors. The intersectionality of age and gender with disability worsens self-management behaviors. Inaccessible health system, poor quality of health care and insensitive health care providers further complicate self-management. This study documents the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in practicing diabetes self management. There is a need for public health policy and planning that is inclusive of persons with disabilities to make access to diabetes care universal.