Information Needs and Self-Care Practices of Diabetic Patients in Mbala, Northern Province, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. It is “a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both” manifested by carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism abnormality. If untreated high blood sugar can damage the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the information needs and self-care practice of Diabetic Patients in Mbala, Northern Province Zambia. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study where 105 respondents aged 18 years and above participated in the study. Participants were randomly selected. A structured interview schedule and a check list were used to collect data. Statistics Package for Social Sciences computer software package version 23.0 was used to analyze data. Chi square and fisher’s exact tests were used to test the significance of the association between Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus, attitude towards self-care practices, self-care practices among Diabetic patients and the need for information among Diabetic patients. A 95% confidence interval and P value of 0.05 were used to ascertain the degree of significance. Multi-variate binary logistic regression model to determine predictors of self-care practices and need for information was also used. Result: On analyzing the dependent variables, more than half (61.9%), had high need for information and three quarters (85.7%) of respondents had poor self-care practices. Slightly more than half (58.1%) had high knowledge levels majority (78.1%), had a negative attitude. Significant associations were found P < 0.05 between knowledge levels and self-care practices (P-value 0.017), and between attitude and self-care practices (P-value 0.005). Information needs were also associated with knowledge (P-value 0.040) while attitude (P-value 0.198) showed no association with information needs of Diabetic patients. On multivariable logistic analysis patients with low knowledge levels were 0.080 times less likely to achieve good self-care practices (OR: 0.080, CI: 0.009 - 0.623, P < 0.020) and those with a negative attitude were 0.174 less likely to achieve good self-care practices (OR: 0.174, CI: 0.049 - 0.584, P < 0.006). Patients who had low knowledge levels were 2.263 times more likely to have a high need for information compared to those who had high knowledge levels, and this effect was significant (OR: 2.263, CI: 0.957 - 5.104, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Negative attitudes and lack of information among Diabetic patients were the main reasons associated with poor self-care practices. Particular attention should therefore be given to ensuring that Diabetic patients are given adequate information on Diabetes self-care in order to improve the quality of life.