SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD
OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF FAMILY MEDICINE, FACULTY OF HEALTH
SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND. / BACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that is a global problem.
The increasing incidence and prevalence globally is of great concern. This condition is a
long-term challenge, which requires behavioural change and adherence to management to
maintain glycaemic control. Good knowledge of diabetes influences adequate self-care
practices, glycaemic control, and overall diabetes management. Incorrect self-care practices
impair the achievement of the desired treatment targets.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine patient-reported knowledge,
perceptions and practice regarding diabetes self-management skills and behaviour through
assessing knowledge, reported practice, and perceptions of diabetic self-management among
adult patients with diabetes attending the diabetic clinic at Mokopane provincial hospital, and
determining the strength of associations between knowledge, reported practice, perception of
self-care and glycaemic control.
DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross sectional study using a
questionnaire on knowledge, perception and self-management practices. Participants were
recruited consecutively until the sample size of 76 was reached. Data was analysed using the
statistical software SPSS version 17.0.
RESULTS: There were more females (71%) and most of the participants (39%) were above
60 years of age. The majority of participants (87%) had a HbA1c of >7%, with a mean
HbA1c of 10.2%. Diabetic knowledge was poor. A majority of the participants answered less
than 50% of the knowledge questions correctly. More than half of the respondents could not
answer the diabetes knowledge questions correctly. The proportion of participants, who
responded positively to 3 of the 4 questions to assess knowledge and perception of self-care,
was in the range of 70-90%. 86% of participants indicated that they had adjusted their diet
since being diagnosed with diabetes. 48% of participants reported that they always adhered
well to medication. Most of the participants (81%) indicated that they do not smoke.
Responses to other questions to assess practice of self-care showed that only 29% of the
participants always practiced the self-care activities stated. There was no statistically
significant association between knowledge of diabetes, practice, perception of self-care and
glycae. CONCLUSION: General knowledge of diabetes and practice of self-care were inadequate,
but perception about diabetes self-care was good. Although many participants had altered
their diet, their diabetic control was poor. Poor general knowledge of diabetes, not practicing
self-care and poor diabetic control were found in the majority of participants although there
was no statistically significant association among these measures.mic control (HbA1c).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/16673 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Etukudo, Inyang Odiong |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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