Thesis (MPH) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic lifestyle disease without a cure, and medical emphasis is on management to avoid short and long term diabetes related problems/complications. It is very important for patients to be knowledgeable on the role of diet, physical exercise and self-monitoring. The main objective of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the diabetes mellitus patients about the benefit of physical activity. METHODOLOGY: The was a cross sectional descriptive study that assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst diabetes mellitus patients on physical activity at Block 6 clinic in Gaborone, Botswana. The researcher administered questionnaires with individual patients to investigate how well they understood their condition, their attitude towards exercise and the extent to which they have adopted exercise as part of their diabetes control. A total of 140 diabetic patients participated in the study. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed that participants had good knowledge of symptoms of diabetes (97.9%), complications that can result when diabetes is not well controlled (76.4%) and urine analysis test (65%). The results also showed that majority of the participants had fair knowledge (62.1%) and only (20.0%) had good knowledge; (89.4%) had positive attitude, and only 10.6% had negative attitude towards physical exercise. The results show that 59.6% had low level of physical activity, 31.3% did not exercise, whilst only 9.1% reported that they exercised adequately. CONCLUSION The study reveals a variation between diabetes related health knowledge, attitude, and practice in among those who are affected by diabetes. The knowledge and practice levels were relatively low. Nevertheless majority of the study participants had positive attitude towards Physical Activity. Keywords: Diabetes, knowledge, attitude, Practice, Physical

Patients’ perceptions of health care and support is a key determinant in self-efficacy and active participation in the management of chronic conditions. Nurses play a significant role in Diabetes Self-Management Education by providing clients with tools, empowerment and knowledge to self-manage their condition. The purpose of this study was to examine and describe diabetes patients’ perceptions of nurses’ support for self-management in Botswana. The aim was to improve clients’ skills in self-management and to strengthen diabetes health care management. This study was carried out at the Diabetes Clinic of Excellence, in the city of Francistown, the second largest city in Botswana. The study population comprised of Type 2 Diabetes patients registered at the Diabetes Clinic for their follow-up. All were aged 18 years and above. Three hundred and fifty-four (354) patients participated in the study. The study used a non-experimental, descriptive, quantitative design. Probability sampling method was used to recruit diabetes patients from the selected clinic. Data were were collected using a structured, researcher developed, questionnaire mostly in face-to-face interviews, a few participants completed the questionnaire. The Quantitative data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science Software (version 25). Spearman rho was used to determine statistical correlation between patients’ perceptions and their self-management practices. The findings showed that generally, patients’ perceptions of professional support was positive regarding most of the constructs measured. However, there were areas that showed less satisfaction with the support such as foot-care, risk control, and ability to identify signs of low and high blood sugar level and carrying of Identification Band (ID). Perceptions of nurses’ motivational behaviour showed varied responses. Patients’ self-care activities were sub-optimal and showed some variations which tended to correspond with their perceptions of professionals support. The Spearman's correlation results ranged from strong, moderate, and weak positive correlation. A few demographic variables showed some impact on self-care activities. Based on the findings, the study concludes that professional support through DSME and DSMS, self-management and patients’ perceptions of care play a significant role in diabetes management. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)