Abstract
BackgroundThe diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is commonly missed in most health facilities in Nigeria. Adequate knowledge of childhood diabetes is necessary for the recognition and possible intervention for the control of the disease. However, research to assess knowledge deficiencies and their relationship to attitude is lacking in most developing countries including Nigeria. This study intends to survey the beliefs and perceptions of caregivers of children towards diabetes in childhood. It also aims at determining the caregivers’ depth of knowledge of diabetes in children, the relationship between knowledge and practices as well as the association between level of education and gender with practices and knowledge. The study outcome will help in the formulation of policy and education of the communities with regards to the preconceived myths and realities of childhood diabetes.MethodsA descriptive study involving 500 respondents, population groups were selected by multi-staged sampling from different areas in Enugu metropolis, south-East of Nigeria. A validated structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Ethical approval was obtained, and only consenting subjects were interviewed. Data was analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.ResultAlmost all the respondents (99.8%) had heard of diabetes in adults. However, a lower proportion of respondents 43.2% knew about diabetes in childhood. Only 24.8% had good knowledge of the different aspects of diabetes. Although females were more knowledgeable about the effects of healthy life style modifications on diabetes, there was no gender predisposition in knowledge about diabetes in childhood.A positive association existed between knowledge and education [p < 0.001] concerning childhood diabetes. Irrespective of this association 82.6% of the respondents with good knowledge of the disease still had a poor attitude towards healthy life style practices.ConclusionThis study has shown that beliefs and perceptions of childhood diabetes among the adult caregivers in Enugu, south – East Nigeria is mostly erroneous and their knowledge deficient. Literacy did not improve both knowledge and attitude to healthy lifestyle practices.
Highlights
The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is commonly missed in most health facilities in Nigeria
This study has shown that beliefs and perceptions of childhood diabetes among the adult caregivers in Enugu, south – East Nigeria is mostly erroneous and their knowledge deficient
The knowledge level of respondents in this study could be attributed to the fact that majority were educated and most likely have inferred that since diabetes occurs in adults it is likely to occur in children
Summary
The diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is commonly missed in most health facilities in Nigeria. The prevalence among the youths is estimated to triple in 2050 [3] This projection indicates a serious picture of the future national childhood diabetes burden among the youth and highlights the need to reduce the burden. Deaths due to diabetes can be avoided by early recognition of affected children and helping them to survive with appropriate treatment. This will enable them to live a full life void of stigmatization and without restrictions or disabling complications [11]. There are few reports on knowledge and attitude on diabetes in developing countries including Nigeria [12].
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