Assessment of diabetes self-management amongst Nigerians using the diabetes self-management questionnaire: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: self-management is probably the most important factor contributing to achieving euglycaemia. The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) is an instrument that shows favourable prospects compared to older measures. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-management and glycaemic control using the DSMQ, and determine factors that affect glycaemic control in patients living with diabetes mellitus.

Methods: a cross-sectional analytic study of 103 patients, carried out in a public tertiary health institution located in a Southern Nigerian City. An interviewer administered DSMQ was used to assess self-management among the patients. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.0, and AMOS 22.0.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, New York, USA).

Results: females had significantly lower DSMQ scores compared to males (40 vs. 36, P=0.015) while median DSMQ score was highest in participants with tertiary level of education (P=0.017), and those who earned the highest annual income (P=0.007). The DSMQ´s behaviour scales showed a notable negative correlation with HbA1c (-0.565, P < 0.001). More females (80.3%) than males (56.3%) had high HbA1C (Χ²=6.44, P=0.016).

Conclusion: diabetes self-management using DSMQ showed significant correlation with glycaemic control. Male sex, higher income, and higher level of education are associated with better self-management and glycaemic control.