Knowledge, Attitude and Self-management Practices of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in an Ambulatory Care Setting in Ibadan, Nigeria

Diabetes education is likely to be more effective if patients’ characteristics and attitude toward diabetes is well understood. This study aims to assess knowledge and attitude of patients with type 2 diabetes about diabetes and its complications, self-care practices to recognize and manage diabetes crisis, as well as selfmonitoring of blood glucose with a view to identify the areas to focus for diabetes self management education and to improved diabetes care. A cross sectional study was conducted at Adeoyo General Hospital, a secondary care setting located in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. Pre-tested questionnaire was administered to 200 randomly selected type 2 diabetes patients between 2nd March and 31st May, 2009. Of these, 175 (87.5%) properly filled questionnaires were subsequently analyzed and descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Chi-square was used for tests of proportions, while student t-test and ANOVA were used to compare continuous variables, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Only 18 (10.3%) knew the most probable cause of diabetes, more than three fourth (77.7%) were not aware that poor control of blood glucose levels could result in complications. Only 24.1% could mention at least a symptom to recognize hypoglyacemic episode, while 75.9% were not aware of the self care approach to manage such crisis. Polyuria, 65 (37.4%) was the most commonly cited signal to recognize hyperglyacemic episode. Only 3.4% practice self monitoring of blood glucose. Overall, 47 (26.9%) had a good knowledge and attitude about diabetes. Knowledge, attitude and self management practices among type 2 diabetes patients is low. This knowledge gap about diabetes suggests the need for an institutionalized and effective standard for diabetes self management education so as to ensure improved diabetes care for the patient.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, knowledge, attitude, self management practices, secondary care facility