Diabetes related knowledge, self-care behaviours and adherence to medications among diabetic patients in Southwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundThe provision of health education involving self-care and good adherence to medications has been acknowledged to be a cost effective strategy for improving quality of life of diabetes patients. We assessed levels of knowledge about type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), self-care behaviours and adherence to medication among DM patients.MethodsA facility based cross-sectional survey of 325 adults with T2DM patients attending Jimma University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia was conducted. We used diabetes Knowledge Test, Expanded Version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities and Morisky 8-Item medication adherence as tools to measure diabetic knowledge, self-care behaviours and adherence to medications respectively. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the independent predictors of diabetes knowledge and adherence to medications. The binary logistic regression was applied for self-care behaviours.Results309 respondents were included in the survey. Of all the respondents, 44.9 %, 20.1 % and 34.9 % had low, medium and high level diabetic knowledge respectively. High level of diabetic knowledge was the reference group. Being illiterate (AOR = 3.1, 95%CI: 1.03-9.3), having BMI <18 kg/m2 (AOR = 6.4, 95%CI: 1.2-34.9) and duration of DM < 5 years (AOR = 4.2, 95%CI: 1.9-9.5) were significantly associated with low level of diabetic knowledge. T2DM patients who practiced good self-care (AOR = 0.5, 95%CI: 0.3-0.9) were less likely to have low knowledge. Duration of DM < 5 years (AOR = 9.8, 95%CI: 3.2-30.2) was significantly associated with medium level of diabetic knowledge. 157(50.8 %) patients had poor self-care behaviour and this was associated with level of education and adherence to medication. The proportions of patients with low, medium and high adherence to medication were 24.9 %, 37.9 % and 37.2 % respectively. Being a merchant, having medium level of diabetic knowledge and having good glycemic control level were associated with low adherence to medications.ConclusionsSignificant number of DM patients had low level of knowledge, poor self-care behaviours and low level of adherence to medications. These findings call for the need of integrated interventional management on diabetic knowledge, self-care behaviours and adherence to medications. To ensure effective T2DM management, a strategic approach that improves health literacy could be a cross cutting intervention.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12902-016-0114-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Knowledge and Coping Strategies Among Patients Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Although this result cannot be generalized to all patients with diabetes in Jordan, it still gives a baseline for educational programs aiming to increase patient's knowledge regarding diabetes. Low level of knowledge in current study sample is consistent with other studies that assessed diabetes knowledge in different diabetes population around the world such as in Ethiopia (Kassahun et al, 2016) and India (Parimalakrishnan, Dussa, & Sahay, 2015).…”

“…Among patients, 5.9%, 34.2% and 59.9% had high, medium and low level of knowledge, respectively. The overall knowledge score was 56.9% (SD=13.1) which is considered low according to the previous classification (Kassahun et al, 2016) (Table 2).…”

“…Out of 14 questions, the mean score for knowledge was 7.9(56.9%) ranging from 1 to 14 (7.14% to 100%). Knowledge scores were classified as follows: (1) high was any knowledge score above 74%, (2) medium was any knowledge score 60-74% and (3) low was less than 60% (Kassahun et al, 2016). Among patients, 5.9%, 34.2% and 59.9% had high, medium and low level of knowledge, respectively.…”

“…It is a disabling disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality (Zhu et al, 2015). Individuals with diabetes who have a high level of knowledge regarding diabetes self-care, tend to have a better long term glycemic control (Islam et al, 2015;Gomes et al, 2018) and good self-care practices (Kassahun, Gesesew, Mwanri, & Eshetie, 2016). Lack of knowledge is one of the barriers of self-management and medication adherence among this population (Ahola & Groop, 2013).…”

Diabetics’ self-care practice and its determinants among Adult diabetic patients in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

“…Moreover, diabetes has affected the quality of life of the victims and led to poor health outcomes of individuals, families, and the broader communities. Consequently, it compromises the social and economic performance of nations (5)(6)(7).…”