Clinical factors influencing knowledge and self‐care practice among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) imposes a huge economic burden all over the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where there are limited resources to manage the disease and its impact (Herrington et al., 2018;Islam et al., 2015). In 2017, it was estimated that 425 million people had diabetes worldwide with a corresponding global prevalence of 8.8% (International Diabetes Federation Report [IDF], 2017). The rates of DM have risen. An overwhelming 80% reside in low-and middle-income countries (International Diabetes Federation, 2013) that are not well equipped to tackle this emerging catastrophe (International Diabetes Federation, 2013;Islam et al., 2015;Sarfo-Kantanka et al., 2016). In sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for most cases. The International Diabetes Federation's report indicated that Ghana had a raw national

Knowledge about type 2 diabetes: its impact for future management

“…In general, it seems that insulin-treated participants have more T2D knowledge, particularly about the symptoms and complications, which may lead to a better self-care. According to Afaya et al (37), who found similar results, this can be due to a higher contact with health professionals, or these could pay a special attention to insulintreated patients in terms of education, to enable them to achieve better glycemic control, and so increasing their T2D knowledge. A specific access to healthcare for people with diabetes could improve knowledge, disease management, and health outcomes (49).…”

“…Diabetes is a complex management disease whose effectiveness depends, to a large extent, on the ability of people to cope with their knowledge, will, skills, and treating team for control and management of the clinical situation (37)(38)(39). Thus, the control of this health condition, as well as the prevention and delay of complications, are directly linked to decisions made by people with T2D, namely regarding diet, physical exercise, monitoring of glycemic control, and medication (37).…”

“…Diet is an integral part of virtually all therapeutic education processes with people with diabetes and their families (37,52). A large variety of nutritional guidelines is available (47,53,54).…”

“…People with diabetes and their families should be equipped with the knowledge to understand the caloric value of foods, for example, from food labels, and to distinguish, in an appropriate way, which foods to use according to the balance that must be ensured between physical activity, the intercurrences they face in their daily lives, the imminent therapeutic (dis)controls (55), and the pleasure of eating (47). Regular physical activity and dietary management are essential in non-pharmacological treatment, not only in diabetes, but also in the management of other pathologies and risk factors such as overweight, glycemic (dis)control (56) and cardiovascular diseases (37). These topics are part of the approaches of most health professionals and seem to be well known by the majority of the participants.…”

Associations between Diabetes Self-Management and Microvascular Complications Among Patients Living in Rural Areas, in Kenya

“…The regular follow-up of diabetic patients by a multidisciplinary team is vital in averting long-term complications (9,10). This is met with difficulties as more than 80% of consultants in Kenya are found in Urban areas and tertiary hospitals, this in turn contributes to suboptimal diabetes management and higher rates of diabetesrelated complications (11).…”