Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Self-care practices in patient living with diabetes are important to effectively prevent, manage, and limit complications associated with diabetes as patients spend more time alone than they spent with health care providers in managing their health conditions.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate self-cate practices and their determinants in patients living with type 2 diabetes. Hence, this study aimed at assessing self-care practices and their determinants among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive, multi-center study was conducted among 348 type 2 diabetes patients selected from six tertiary hospitals in Southwest Nigeria. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed for categorical and continuous variables and multivariable logistic regression assessed association between determinant factors and adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

Results: Of the study participants, 83.1%, 66.9%, 28.4%, and 27.9% adhered to prescribed medications, physical exercise, had meal plans incorporated into their diabetes management and SMBG, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between male gender, duration of diabetes, and previous episode of hypoglycemia with adherence to SMBG practices while lower educational level and use of insulin were associated with less likelihood of adherence to prescribed medications.

Conclusion: The degree to which patients living with diabetes adhered to recommended self-care practice components were less than satisfactory especially SMBG, physical activity, and having meal plans.

Keywords: Determinants, Nigeria, self-care practices, type 2 diabetes