Adherence to Diabetes Self-care Behaviours and Associated Factors amongst Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in an Urban Setting in Cameroon
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is currently a major global public health burden associated with acute and chronic complications. Adherence to some diabetes self-care behaviours slows the progression of short-term and long-term adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of adherence to some domains of diabetes self-care behaviours and to identify the factors associated with adherence amongst adults living with type 2 diabetes in the Bamenda III health district of the North West Region of Cameroon.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study involving 162 adults living with type 2 diabetes (mean age 57.1± 9.6 years) living in the Bamenda III health district in the North West Region of Cameroon using a convenient random sampling technique. Anthropometric and diabetes related measurements were carried out following standard procedures. Adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours was assessed using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of diabetes self-care behaviours.
Results: The overall prevalence of diabetes self-care adherence in the study population was 36.4%. In addition, we observed that there was a significantly (p= 0.002) higher mean FBS amongst participants with poor dietary adherence compared to those with good dietary (175.4mg/dl vs 136.8 mg/dl) respectively. Bivariate analysis revealed being 67 years and older (OR 5.3) and diabetes duration of more than 5 years (OR 4.6) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours. Multivariate analysis indicated that being older than 67 years (OR 4.8, 95% CI, 1.9 – 14.8) was an independent predictor for adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours.
Conclusion: This study has shown a poor overall adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours amongst adults living with type 2 diabetes in our setting. In addition, being older than 67 years was an independent predictor of good adherence to diabetes self-care behaviours. There is need for an integrated approach in the management of T2DM involving treatment as well as health education that will improve on the health and quality of life of the patients.
