Influence of Family Function on Self-care Practice among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Primary Care Clinic in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Context: Family function and self-care practices are important components of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) care to achieve good glycemic control, promote health, and prevent the early onset of complications. Aim: To determine the influence of perceived family functionality on the self-care practice of T2DM patients. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study involving 241 patients aged ≥18 years who presented at the family medicine clinic. Methods and Materials: The family function was assessed using the family APGAR tool, while self-care practice was assessed using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Assessment tool. Statistical Analysis: The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between variables, self-care practice, and the determinants of self-care practice, respectively. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 56.6 ± 11.1 years; 161 (66.8%) were females. The proportion of those with highly functional families was 56%, while the prevalence of good self-care practices was 17.8%. Irregular clinic attendance (OR = 0.434, 95%CI = 0.23-0.82, P ≤ 0.001), BMI [underweight (OR = 9.325, CI = 1.635 – 53.182, P = 0.01), normal (OR = 2.729, CI = 1.203 – 6.188, P = 0.02)], good glycemic control (OR = 2.9, 95%CI = 1.48-5.80, P = 0.002), and moderately dysfunctional family (OR = 0.418, 95%CI = 0.19-0.93, P = 0.03) were the determinants of self-care practice among T2DM. Conclusion: The prevalence of highly functional families was high but with a very low level of self-care practice. Clinic attendance, BMI, good glycemic control, and family function were the determinants of self-care practice.