Burden and determinants of Social Needs among Egyptian patients with Diabetes; A cross-sectional study | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 22 September 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejcm.2025.397319.1428 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Reham Salah Amin Radwan* 1; Ahmed Moheyeldien Hamed2; Gehad Sabry Ahmed3 | ||
| 1Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt | ||
| 2Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt | ||
| 3Public Health and Community Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Social determinants of health are responsible for up to 55% of health outcomes. Studies have found a relationship between social determinants and chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective was to assess the social needs among patients with diabetes in Upper Egypt. Additionally, to detect the predictors of health-related social needs and the relationship between social needs and the quality of diabetic control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at diabetic care outpatient clinics at a university hospital. Interviews were conducted to collect data on social needs using a structured questionnaire which included, socio-demographic characteristics, social needs screening toolkit, and health care quality assessment. Results: A total 236 patients were included, 69.5% were females, and 86.4% were below the age of 65 years. The prevalence of health-related social needs was 63%; 9% one need, 15% two needs, and 39% multiple needs. The prevalent health-related social needs were financial resource strain (42.8%), educational challenges (41.9%), food insecurity (33.1%), loneliness (29.2%), and transportation challenges (28.4%). Illiteracy (OR= 2.603 and CI= 1.058-6.404) and presence of health insurance (OR=0.346 and CI=0.170-0.702) show significant associations with social needs. Uncontrolled diabetes was significantly associated with financial resource strain (p=0.004), educational challenges (p=0.023), and housing instability (p=0.014). Conclusions: Social needs are prevalent among Egyptian patients with T2D. Unmet social needs in these patients can affect the disease control. The findings underscore the importance of screening for social needs and offering appropriate aids to minimize their impact on management outcomes. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Type 2 diabetes; Social needs; Social determinants of health; Egypt | ||
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