Insulin Injection Practices In People with Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: The significance of achieving good glycaemic control cannot be over-emphasized as this goes a long way in the reduction of disease burden arising from diabetes mellitus. In Nigeria, insulin injections are still widely unacceptable thus posing a problem towards achieving optimal glycaemic control in insulin requiring diabetes patients.
Aim: This study aimed to provide information on insulin usage in Nigeria.
Patients and Methods: The study was carried out in the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria. Participants were recruited from patients receiving care at the Diabetes Clinic of the above mentioned hospitals. It is a descriptive study in which 100 insulin-requiring diabetes patients were studied via the use of intervieweradministered questionnaire.
Results: Essentially, insulin techniques, glycaemic control and complications of insulin usage were documented.
Conclusions: The main form of insulin used is the human insulin. High cost of insulin is one of the major factors responsible for poor glycaemic control. For proper delivery of diabetes care, insulin, insulin pens and syringes must be available, accessible and at affordable cost.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Insulin injections, Glycaemic control