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Introduction: The type 2 diabetes mellitus is a health problem worldwide. There is a growing interest for the quality of integral care at primary level and focused on the patient. Objective: To identify the main barriers from the perspective of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus on their integral care, in selected health areas. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was carried out during 2017, for which 6 focal groups were created. The sample was constituted by 56 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, belonging to José Antonio Echeverría, Héroes del Moncada polyclinics and the Diabetic Care Center, in Cárdenas, the province of Matanzas, as well as Carlos J. Finlay, Julián Grimau polyclinics and the Diabetic Care Center in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba, in the province with the same name. Results: There was a prevalence of the elderly from the female sex. The barriers were related to the pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment, the follow up in the health services, as well as the support and the communication on the part of the health staff in the family doctor offices; this latter affected the relationship health staff - patient. Conclusion: In spite of the different geographical contexts there were points shared by them. As one takes the control with relevant strategies to eliminate the barriers perceived by the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, their health state will improve.