Perspectives of diabetes patients in improving diabetes care in Ghana: a nationwide quantitative descriptive study

Abstract

Background: Past and recent publications suggest that significant patient-related challenges in the management of diabetes patients  remain, especially, in subSaharan Africa.

Objectives: We set out to obtain patients’ perspectives on the challenges they face in the  management of their condition as well as suggestions to improve these identified gaps.

Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive  study.

Setting: Public and private health facilities across all 16 administrative regions of Ghana

Participants: Diabetes patients  

Methodology: Patients’ perspectives on various aspects of their management and possible solutions on perceived gaps were sought   using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analysed using STATA version 16.1. P-value <.05 was set as significant.

Results:  Between 71.7%-85.6% (n=104-124) of the 145 respondents reported that the availability of specialist doctors, diabetes educators,  ophthalmic nurses, ophthalmologists, dieticians, and glucose monitoring devices were below average; with podiatrists/foot care  specialists only available in a few facilities. Respondents generally reported that availability of laboratory services needed for their care, human insulins, oral diabetes medications (except Sodium Glucose Transporter-2) was either good or excellent. Overwhelming majority  of the patients used NHIS to finance their diabetes-related healthcare costs, whilst nearly 50% also pay-out-of-pocket to supplement  healthcare and deemed this as expensive. Averagely, more than 95% (n=138) of the patients surveyed either agree, strongly agree or  extremely agree to improving personnel, support services, laboratory investigations and access to affordable medications to enhance  comprehensive diabetes care.

Conclusion: Diabetes patients across the country continue experience significant challenges relating to  their care. Cross-sector collaboration to improve identified challenges is urgently needed.