Self-Management of Diabetes and Associated Factors among Patients Seeking Chronic Care in Tshwane, South Africa

A Facility-Based Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15511686
AuthorsJanke Zwane (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University), Perpetua Modjadji (0000-0002-8339-9875, South African Medical Research Council, corresponding author), Sphiwe Madiba (0000-0002-3735-1248, University of Limpopo), Lucky Moropeng (University of Pretoria), Kabelo Mokgalaboni (0000-0002-3224-7433, University of South Africa), Peter M Mphekgwana (0000-0002-3068-9406, University of Limpopo), André Pascal Kengne (0000-0002-5183-131X, South African Medical Research Council), Zandile June‐Rose Mchiza (0000-0003-2515-9184, South African Medical Research Council)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue10
Pages5887-5887
Publication date2023-05-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20105887
PMID37239611
OpenAlexW4377092225
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited94

The burden of diabetes continues to increase in South Africa and a significant number of diabetes patients present at public primary healthcare facilities with uncontrolled glucose. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study to determine the diabetes self-management practices and associated factors among out-patients in Tshwane, South Africa. An adapted validated questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemography, diabetes knowledge, and summaries of diabetes self-management activities measured in the previous seven days, and over the last eight weeks. Data were analysed using STATA 17. A final sample of 402 diabetes out-patients was obtained (mean age: 43 ± 12 years) and over half of them were living in poor households. The mean total diabetes self-management of score was 41.5 ± 8.2, with a range of 21 to 71. Almost two thirds of patients had average self-management of diabetes, and 55% had average diabetes knowledge. Twenty-two percent of patients had uncontrolled glucose, hypertension (24%) was the common comorbidity, and diabetic neuropathy (22%) was the most common complication. Sex [male: AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34-0.90], race [Coloured: AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.69-4.77 and White: AOR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.46-10.1], marital status [divorced: AOR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.13-10.29], social support [average: AOR = 2.51, 95% CI: 1.05-6.00 and good: AOR = 4.49, 95% CI: 1.61-7.57], body mass index [obesity: AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.10-0.95], diabetes knowledge [average: AOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.33-0.10 and good: AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 0.71-4.91], and uncontrolled glucose [AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.47-5.98] were factors independently predictive of diabetes self-management. This study emphasizes that the self-management of diabetes was mostly on average among patients and was associated with the aforementioned factors. Innovative approaches are perhaps needed to make diabetes education more effective. Face-to-face sessions delivered generally during clinic visits should be better tailored to the individual circumstances of diabetes patients. Considerations should be given to the options of leveraging information technology to ensure the continuity of diabetes education beyond clinic visits. Additional effort is also needed to meet the self-care needs of all patients

Body mass index · Comorbidity · Cross-sectional study · Diabetes management · Diabetes mellitus · Environmental health · Marital status · Obesity · Population · Public health · Type 2 diabetes · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · Demography · Diabetes Management and Education · Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins · Medicine · Endocrinology · Internal Medicine

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