KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, ILLNESS-RELATED EXPERIENCES AND TREATMENT COMPLIANCE AMONG DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease of public health importance in Nigeria. However patients’ knowledge, perceptions, practices and experiences relating to DM seems not to have been sufficiently investigated. This study was therefore designed to determine DM-related knowledge, perception, illness-related experiences and treatment compliance among diabetics in selected hospitals in Ibadan.

The study was a cross-sectional survey involving systematic random sample of 600 out of 2,115 diabetes patients receiving treatment at the following purposively selected health care facilities: University College Hospital, Ring-Road State Hospital and Oluyoro Catholic Hospital. The semi-structured questionnaire used for data collection included 45-point knowledge and 32-point perception scales, questions on socio-demographic characteristics, illness-related experiences and treatment compliance. Knowledge scores of 1- 20, 21 - 35 and 36 - 45 were considered poor, fair and good respectively. Perception scores of ≤16 and ≥ 17 points were categorized as negative and positive respectively. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and t-test were used for data analysis at p< 0.05.

Mean age of the respondents was 63.9 ± 8.6 years, 75.3% were married and 62.7% were females. Respondents’ sources of information about DM included doctor (41.0%), radio (29.3%) and friends (27.3%). Mean knowledge score was 36.6 ± 5.8. Respondents with poor, fair, and good knowledge were 2.5%, 32.5%, and 65.0% respectively. Majority (87.8%) were aware that diabetics could take most food substances in small amounts. Respondents’ mean perception score was 21.8 ± 4.8. The positive perceptions included views that DM cannot be cured (69.2%) and Physical Exercise (PE) can be used to control DM (90.0%) while negative perceptions included views that it is the best types of food health care providers tell diabetics not to eat (68.7%), and too much time is wasted in the clinic (75.8%). Respondents with overall negative and positive perceptions were 6.0% and 94.0% respectively. Perceived diabetic-related symptoms experienced within three months preceding the study included: cramps (72.0%), excessive hunger (73.8%), profuse sweating (75.5%) and severe thirst (77.8%). None of the respondents complied with all the DM recommended treatment practices. Non–compliance related practices among the respondents’ included: failure to go to the hospital for regular checkup (51.5%), failure to take drugs as a result of forgetfulness (50.2%) and excessive consumption of food which ought to be taken in small quantities (43.8%). A major challenge faced by the diabetics was high cost of drugs as stated by the respondents (69.0%). There was no significant difference in respondents’ mean scores by sex (male=36.6 ± 5.6; female = 36.5 ± 6.0). Similarly, there was no significant association between perception that DM could be controlled by PE and respondents’ age.

Knowledge of majority of respondents was high and many had appropriate perceptions needed to cope with the disease. However, inadequate compliance with various measures for managing the disease constitutes a concern which could be addressed by patient education and social support.