Self-monitoring of blood glucose in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is considered one of the cornerstones of diabetes care and is an important component of modern therapy for diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the diabetes clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and a private specialist clinic in Jos, North central Nigeria. One hundred and eighty patients on treatment for diabetes aged 18 years and above diagnosed to have diabetes but not less than six months were recruited consecutively. Patients on dietary management and patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) were excluded from the study. Data was obtained using a questionnaire. Results: Ninety six (53.3%) were males. The mean age was 56 ± 11 years. The median (range) duration of diabetes was 9.0 (3.0 - 12.5). One hundred and eighteen (65.5%) had either secondary or tertiary education with one hundred and three (57.2%) earning less than N500,000 yearly. The prevalence of self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was only 47.8 % with more than 50% not practicing SMBG as recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Factors associated with SMBG include high level of education, high income (>N 1.5 million yearly), long duration of diabetes (≥10 years) and male sex. Conclusion: The practice of SMBG in our environment is suboptimal with those practicing it not doing it as recommended. Hence, increased awareness and education of patients with diabetes should be promoted among those who do not practice SMBG and those who do not practice it as recommended.