Knowledge and Practice of Self-Management and Self-Management Support by Health Professionals in a Secondary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders are common and the burden of these diseases is increasing. Prevention, treatment and management of these conditions are both public health and clinical issues. The need to identify patient-centred strategies and support from health professionals to better manage these chronic conditions form the basis of the concepts of patients’ self-management and self-management support.  This study assessed the knowledge and practice of self-management and self-management support in a secondary health facility.

Questionnaires were pretested and administered to eligible health professionals. Results obtained show that 75% and 96.9% of respondents had scores above the mean cut-off indicative of good knowledge of and positive attitude towards self-management and self-management support respectively. There were significant associations between age and practice of self-management support, age and attitude, and gender and attitude toward patient self-management support. We therefore conclude that self-management and self-management support for chronic diseases are possible and sustainable with knowledge and collaboration from health professionals.

Key words: self-management, self-management support, chronic diseases, knowledge