Self-care practice and associated factors among type 2 adult diabetic patients on follow up clinic of Dessie referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem in the world and Africa including Ethiopia. Its complication is the major cause of morbidity and mortality of people due to improper self-care practice.

Objective: To assess self-care practices and associated factors among type 2 adult diabetic patients on follow-up clinic of Dessie referral hospital, Ethiopia.

Method: Institutional based cross sectional study was conducted. Total of 278 type 2 diabetic patients was selected by systematic random sampling technique and data was collected by interviewer administered pretested questionnaire. Epidata 3.1 and SPSS version 23 software were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. In bivariate analysis, variables having a p - value of < 0.2 were entered to multivariate analysis model and statistical significance was declared at p - value of < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.

Results: The response rate was 269 (96.76%) of the total 278 participants. Among the respondents 150(55.8%) had good diabetic self-care practice. This study showed that primary school education level (AOR=2.592, 95%CI=1.104-6.087, p = 0.029), secondary school education level (AOR=3.873, 95%CI=1.325-11.323, p = 0.013), college/university graduate (AOR=3.030, 95%CI=1.276-7.197, 0.012), attended diabetic education regularly (AOR=2.981, 95%CI=1.050-8.462, p = 0.040), member of diabetic association (AOR=3.496, 95%CI=1.440-8.483, p = 0.006) and having glucometer at home (AOR=2.634, 95%CI=1.357-5.111, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with diabetes self-care practice.

Conclusion: Nearly half of diabetic patients had poor self care practice. Hence, there is a need to improve diabetic self-care practice. Attention should be given by policy makers, Dessie referral hospital, health care professionals, diabetic associations and researchers.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the disturbance of metabolism characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and the cause can be impaired insulin secretion, action or both secretion and action problems [1]. Type 2 diabetes is described as the combination of peripheral insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells. The resistance of insuline resulted in elevation of free fatty acids and inflammatory cytokines that leads to impaired glucose transportation in muscle cells, raised gluconeogenesis by the liver and fat breakdown [2]. Type 2 diabetes due to a progressive loss of b-cell insulin secretion frequently on the background of insulin resistance [3]. Self-care practice in diabetes patient is critical to keep the disease under control and about 95% of the diseases management is usually carried out by the affected individual or their families. These practices includes blood glucose monitoring, dietary modification, physical activity, and compliance to medications [4-6]. Self-management requires active involvement of the individual in their care that needs high commitment and the self care behaviors affects its out come. Evidence showed that, diabetes patients who were regularly participated in self care practices have succeeded better blood glucose control. Patients with diabetes mellitus had been shown to make a dramatic change on the progression and development of their disease by participating in their own self care [7-10]. Although diabetic patients visit clinics regularly, their blood glucose level remains high [11]. Worldwidely, the prevalence of diabetes patients among adults (aged 20–79 years) was 6.4%, affecting 285 million in 2010, and in 2030 it will increase to 7.7% by affecting 439 million adults. Between 2010 and 2030, there will be a 69% increase in numbers of diabetes adult patients in developing countries and a 20% increase in developed countries [12].

Properly uncontrolled type 2 diabetes end up with micro vascular, macro vascular and neuropathic complications. Diabetic micro vascular complications include retinal, renal and possibly neuropathic disease. Peripheral vascular and coronary artery diseases are macro vascular complications [13]. Diabetic complications lead to high morbidity and mortality and have great impact on patients productivity and quality of life. These complications include target organ damage, leg amputation, loss of vision and nerve injury. In addition diabetes and its complications come with extensive economic loss to diabetic people and their family, health care systems and to the national economies through medical costs and loss of work [14,15]. Adequate glycemic control and prevention of diabetic mellitus complications are the beginning point of treatment in diabetic patients. Screening and prevention of risk factors for type 2 diabetes patients are crucial and important to preserve a good quality of life in diabetic patients [16].

The progression of diabetes and its complications are mainly influenced by lack of awareness and poor self care practices. Regular practice had good outcomes for people with diabetes [17,18]. Diabetic self-care practices were recognized to be important and effective in diabetes control and to prevent complications. In Ethiopia previous finding revealed that, prescribed medication adherence practice was accomplished as recommended in majority respondents (93.2%) but the problems were for other self care practices [19]. A study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia showed that, 75.9% of diabetes patients did not adhere to recommended diet management, 83.5% did not adhere to self-monitoring of blood glucose level but only 4.3% of the respondents did not adhere to the prescribed medications [20]. Another study done in public hospitals of Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Western part of Ethiopia showed that the overall poor self care practice was 45.7% from the total participants [21]. But the desirable self care behaviors among diabetes patients in Northwest Ethiopia was only 28.4% [22]. In contrast another study done in Gondar referral hospital, Northwest Ethiopa 51.86% of diabetes mellitus patients had poor self care practice [23]. In Ethiopia, self care practice finding results were varied across different studies among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Furthermore, in Northeast Ethiopia self-care practice of type 2 diabetic patients is not well studied. That is why this study was tried to assess self-care practices and associated factors of type 2 diabetes patients attending follow up units of Dessie referral hospital, Northeast Ethiopia.

Study design, area and period

Cross sectional quantitative study done in Dessie referral hospital, from May 1 - 30, 2018. As it is the only referal hospital in Eastern Amhara it serves for South wollo zone, North wollo zone, Oromia special zone and some part of Afar region.

Subjects

This study was done on type 2 adult diabetic patients in Dessie referal hospital follow up clinic. A patient who diagnosed type 2 diabetes and made follow up for at least three months were included but critical ill and hearing impairment patients were excluded in the study.

Sample size determination

A single population proportion formula [n = (Z a/2)²P(1-P)/d²] was used to calculate the sample size. The sample size calculated by assuming self-care practice prevalence to be 56% in previous study in Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital with 5% marginal error, 95% confidence interval [24]. Based on this assumption, the sample size for the study was 379. Since the study population is less than 10,000, we used population correction formulas to get 253. Then 278 type 2 adult diabetic patients were the final sample size after adding 10% for non response rate.

Sampling technique and procedure

A systematic sampling technique was carried out to select patients where K calculated by total population (N) divided by total sample size (n). Using the K value the patient selected using patient registration number as a sampling frame and the first study subjects was selected by simple random sampling method.

Data collection tools and procedure

Data was collected by interview including socio demographic characterstics, health profile of participants, health belief questions and self-care practice related questions. Questions were adapted and modified contextually and proven to be reliable in similar studies [25-28]. The English version questionnaire translated in to local language (Amharic) by individuals who have good ability of the two languages then again to English by different person to ensure consistency. Training for data collectors and supervisor were given regarding the study, the questionnaire and data collection procedure by the main investigators. Week prior to the actual data collection, the questionnaire was pre-tested on 10% patients identified from Borumeda hospital which was not included in the actual data collection. Findings of the pretest incorporated to clarify the tool before the actual data collection.

Operational definitions

➢ Good practice: Overall practice was categorized as good if the total score was ≥ 60% of practice questions.

➢ Poor practice: Overall practice was categorized as poor if the total score was < 60% of practice questions [20].

➢ Adequate glycemic level: Fasting blood sugar measure-ment ≤ 125 mg/dl.

➢ Inadequate glycemic level: Fasting blood sugar level me asurement ≥ 126 mg/dl [29,30]

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statics was done to describe frequency and percentages. To see the crude significant association of each independent and dependent variables binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Independent variables found to be p - value < 0.2 entered to multivariate analysis to control the confounding. Finally statistical association determined by p - value less than 0.05 and AOR at 95% confidence interval.

Ethical consideration

Ethical clearance was obtained from Wollo University College of medicine and health science research review committee. Written consent was obtained from all study participants after information is provided about the purpose of the study, non- invasiveness of the data collection procedure and confidentiality of the information.

Socio-demographic characteristics of the study participants

Out of the total sample size (n = 278), 269 type 2 adult DM patients had completed the interview questionnaires making a response rate of 96.76% and the mean age of respondents was 52.52 years ± 13.246 SD (ranged from 21 to 99). The study showed that 74(27.5%) of the participants found in the age category of 40-49 age group. Among 269 type 2 diabetic patients who completed the interview questionnaires, 150(55.8%) were males and 119(44.2%) of them were females (Table 1).

Health profile of the participants

Most of the respondents 161(59.9%) had duration of diabetic disease less than 5 years. With regard to co-morbidities, 88(32.7%) of them had other diseases in addition to diabetes mellitus. Sixty seven (24.9%) of type 2 diabetes patients had family history of diabetes mellitus. The majority, 192(71.4%) of respondents did not have glucometer at home (Table 2). From all participants, 235(87.4%) of them had inadequate glycemic level when it was measured during data collection period in the morning (fast blood sugar level) (Figure 1).

Diabetic self-care practice

About 172(63.9%) participants practiced regular blood pressure monitoring at least every month, 258(95.9%) visit their physicians at least every three months, 53(19.7%) regular blood glucose testing at least once per week, 180(66.9%) managed their diet regularly, 101(37.5%) had a regular exercise, 139(51.7%) yearly eye examination, 134(49.8%) check feet daily and 230(85.5%) of respondents had never forgotten their medication in the past 7 days (Figure 2). Overall 150(55.8%) had good diabetic self-care practice while 119(44.2%) had poor self-care practice (Figure 3).

Factors associated with diabetes self-care practice

Variables with p-value less than 0.2 in bivariate analysis were entered to multivariate analysis. Among these variables which were entered to multivariate analysis educational level, attended a diabetic education, member of diabetic association and having glucometer at home were found to be significantly statistical associated with diabetes self-care practice.

Diabetes self-care was better practiced among respondents who attained primary school education (AOR=2.592, 95%CI=1.104-6.087, p = 0.029), secondary school education (AOR=3.873, 95%CI=1.325-11.323, p = 0.013) and college/university graduate (AOR=3.030, 95%CI=1.276-7.197, 0.012) as compared to those who were no formal education. Respondents who follow diabetic education regularly were 3 times more likely practiced good diabetic self-care (AOR=2.981, 95%CI=1.050-8.462), p = 0.040) as compared to those who were never follow diabetic education. Diabetic association membership (AOR=3.496, 95%CI=1.440-8.483, p = 0.006) and having glucometer at home (AOR=2.634, 95%CI=1.357-5.111, p = 0.004) were more likely practiced diabetic self-care than their counterparts (Table 3).

Overall, in this study 55.8% of the respondent had good and 44.2% poor diabetic self-care practice. This showed that presence of problem in diabetic patients concerning to diabetic self-care practice that needs immediate attention by the concerned bodies. The finding of this study overall diabetes self care practice in line with study conducted in Wester part of Ethiopia where 45.7% of respondents’ had poor self care practice [21]. From different study findings, the diabetes self-care practice is not consistent. The overall good self-care practice of participants in this study (55.8%) lower than the study done in Dilla university hospital (76.8%) but higher than the study conducted in Harari town, Eastern Ethiopia (39.2%), public hospitals of Tigray region centeral zone (37.3%) and Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia [19,22,31,32]. The variation might be due to the presence of difference in health care accessibility within the country and short consultation time during first diagnosis and follow up might discourage patients from attending their follow-ups and accessing the required information regarding self-care practices. Although adequate diabetes self-care practice can be achieved through patient centered education, health professionals might fail to devote adequate time for discussion to educate and motivate patients to follow the recommended diabetes self-care practice due to high number of patients in the facilities. However this study was consistent to the study carried out in Nekemte referral hospital (55%) [33]. The reason might be due to similarity of study design in this study and Nekemte referral hospital study.

Among the participants 95.9% of them had regular check-up. It is higher than a study done in India; only 58% had regular follow up [34]. This difference might be due to in our study DM patients may respect the health professionals what they told with regard to regular check-up. The big problems in our study was even if the patient come to the hospital regularly they may not get appropriate checkup due to the hospital set up problems like absence of equipment used for check up and short consultation time by health professionals.

Here in our study regular monitoring of blood glucose which was the least (19.7%) practiced self-care among overall self care was lower than the study conducted on type 2 DM patients in China (56.0%) [35]. The possible difference might be due to less likely awareness about blood glucose monitoring in the current study. To support this in the present study current fast blood sugure 87.4% of the participant were inadequate glycemic level. China as she is developed country so that the people of china may have more awareness about regular blood glucose monitoring when we compare with the current study area. But in this study regular monitoring of blood glucose similar with study done in Dilla referral hospital (20%) [19].

Managed diet regularly was 66.9% which is lower than the study in China (85.4%) [35]. But higher than a study in Dilla specialized hospital Ethiopia (49.7%) and Malaysia (16.4%) [19,36]. This variation may be due to the difference in setting, sociocultural variation, life style difference and finance barrier with poor perception toward the importance diet plan across the different studies.

In the current study regular exercise was 37.5% which is lower than a study conducted in Dilla referral hospital (44.5%), India (45%) and China (77.3%) [19,34,35]. This might be due to the health care professionals did not give enough time to explain about exercise during first diagnosed and follow up as expected.

Check feet daily (49.8%) which is higher than a research carried out in India (4%) [34]. This variation might be due to failure of the health professional to explain the importance of foot care in India.

Take medication daily (85.5%) which was lower than a study done in Dilla referral hospital (93.2%) and higher than a research carried out in India (58.4%) [19,34]. The discrepancy may be due to presence of variation access for diabetic information about anti-diabetic medications and unequal distribution of diabetic educators across the different studies.

The findings of this study showed that educational level, attended a diabetic education, member of diabetic association and having glucometer at home were found to be significantly statistical associated with diabetes self-care practice in multivariate regression model analysis. Diabetes self-care was better practiced among respondents who attained primary school education, secondary school education and college/university graduate as compared to no formal education. The same findings had been recorded in other studies [24,31,33]. This might be due to the fact that those who have formal education might have gained more information how to perform diabetic self-care activities.

Attended a diabetic education and being diabetic association membership were significantly associated with diabetic self-care practice. Participants, who attend diabetic education regularly 3 times more likely to have good self-care practice than those who were never follow diabetic education.This might be due to diabetic association regular monthly diabetic education and support given to patients such as securing medicine to some of the lower income members and relatively lower price for blood glucose testing. The study also revealed having glucometer at home was associated with good self-care practice which is similar to the study done in Tikur Ambesa referral hospital [24]. In contrast, in Benishangul Gumuz regional state public hospitals those diabetes patients who had no glucometer had significantly associated with poor self care practice [21]. A possible explanation for this could be having glucometer at home might reinforce patients to control their blood glucose level regularly but having no glucometer might affect diabetic patients negatively to control their blood glucose level.

Limitations of the study

Since cross sectional study design used the direction of relationship between variables can’t always be determined. The result of self care activities may be affected by recall bias as it was obtained by self-reports. The findings in this study were based on quantitative method only that lacked triangulation with other methods like focus group discussion and in-depth interview.

This study reflects that diabetes self-care practice among patients was not adequate. Some critical practice gaps were identified particular regular blood glucose testing and regular exercise so that there is a need to improve diabetic self-care practice among diabetic patients. Attention should be given towards diabetic self-care practice by policy makers, Dessie referral hospital, health care professionals and diabetic associations. Researchers should also do further study by using qualitative approach to address the unreached problems in this study.

Authors’ contributions

SGA: initiated the idea, develop the proposal, data entry, statistical analysis, interpretation of the data and writing the manuscript. SAK: edit the proposal, gave constructive comments to increase quality of the study and statistical analysis. SAA: develop the proposal, interpretation of the data and did pre-test. ADN: contributed to the pre-test of the tool, data entry and statistical analysis. KDT: edit the proposal and recruit data collectors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

The study financially supported by Wollo University. This University reviewed and approved the concept of the study to be conducted but had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis and interpretations of data.

The authors would like to acknowledge Wollo University for financial support to conduct this study. We thank all data collectors and supervisor participated in the study. Our deepest gratitude also goes to hospital administrators for providing information regarding the number of diabetic patients on follow up which helps us in organizing the sampling procedure used to undertake the study.

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