KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF DIABETES MELLITUS SELF-MANAGEMENT AMONG DIABETIC CLIENTS AT THE TAMALE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a prevalent and costly metabolic disorder characterized by substantial morbidity and mortality. Adopting effective self-management practices is key in managing diabetes and its related complications. There is a greater responsibility on health care professionals to assist diabetic patients to acquire the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude towards self-management. The fundamental aim of this study was to assess knowledge on diabetes and the effectiveness of self-management practices among diabetic patients at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. The study was a cross sectional one involving the administration of a semi-structured questionnaire. A convenient sampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. The sample size comprised 94 diabetic patients with either type 1 or type 2- diabetes. Results from the analysis showed that response of diabetic patient’s knowledge on self-management practices had a significant positive influence on only the patient’s type of foot wear preferred (p = 0.001), but had no significant relationship with monitoring blood sugar level (p = 0.199), diabetes medication (p = 0.361) and diabetes education (p = 0.195) of self-management practices. Again, results showed an insignificant statistical relationship between level of knowledge on diabetes and social support (p=0.100). Further analysis showed that patients’ demographic characteristics such as sex had no significant effect on level of knowledge on diabetes (p=0.537) but household income (p=0.007), ethnic background (p=0.003), occupation (p=0.001), religion (p=0.004), education background (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.005) and age (p=0.007) had a significant relationship. The study concludes that the knowledge on diabetes among diabetic patients who seek medical care at the Tamale Teaching Hospital is quite low and most likely has a negative effect on their self management practices.