The Health Status and Physical Activity Levels of Patients with T2DM in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

The prevalence of diabetes in Africa is increasing rapidly, reflecting broader global trends. In Limpopo communities, diabetes prevalence is relatively low at 3.2%, but it rises to 8.8% in urban areas. This disparity highlights an urgent need for public health interventions, particularly in urban settings where only 60% of people are aware of their condition. This signifies a substantial burden of undiagnosed diabetes, which necessitates public health action.

This study aimed to determine the health status and physical activity levels of patients with T2DM in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

A quantitative research approach was utilized, following a descriptive cross-sectional design. The current study included 202 participants in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, South Africa. The study targeted participants aged 18 years and older from Elias Motsoaledi Municipality. Recruitment was facilitated through local Department of Health facilities. A convenient sampling method was used to recruit participants based on Slovin’s formula to obtain the sample size for the study. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and chi-square tests, were employed to analyze the data.

The results revealed that most participants suffered from additional non-communicable diseases alongside diabetes. Despite the benefits of participating in physical activities in managing diabetes, the results demonstrated that very few participants did not engage in any form of physical activity. The study identified various challenges and barriers that hinder their ability to engage in physical activities.

The study concluded that participants have a heavy reliance on medication among diabetic patients in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, with minimal emphasis on lifestyle modifications, such as diet and physical activity, for diabetes management. Therefore, there is a need for enhanced education and awareness programs that focus on comprehensive diabetes management strategies, including physical activity and nutrition, especially in resource-constrained settings like the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality.