The influence of coronavirus pandemic on the lifestyles and HEALTH behaviors of patients WİTH diabetes mellitus

The Influence of Coronavirus Pandemic on the Lifestyles and Health Behaviors of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on life styles and health behaviors, and related factors in patients with diabetes mellitus. Material and Method: The study universe consisted of diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted with diabetic patients registered to Training Family Health Center and Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Çukurova University Medical School between April 01, 2021 and June 30, 2021. After consent of the volunteer participants had been obtained, the questionnaire form created by the researcher under the light of the literature was filled out by her with face-to-face interviews. IBM SPSS 22 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) statistical package program was used for data analysis and a p value of<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Mean age of 241 diabetic patients was 55,26±11,7 years (min 18-max 85). Mean duration of diabetes was 10,9±8,7 years (min:1- max:54) and most of the patients were unaware of their diabetes type. When life style changes caused by pandemic were analyzed, physical activity was detected to decrease and body weight, hygiene measures and supplement drug use were detected to increase. Conclusion: Regulations should be done in accordance with the principles of family medicine in order to minimize the influence of potential future pandemics like COVID-19 on chronic disorders like diabetes. Keywords: Family medicine, COVID-19, Diabetes mellitus, Life Style, Health Behavior