FACTORS INFLUENCING SELF-CARE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS ATTENDING JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL DIABETIC CLINIC

Abstract

High blood glucose levels are the hallmark of a diverse range of disorders collectively known as diabetes mellitus. Four types of diabetes have been recognized by the National Diabetes Data Group. Type I diabetes is distinguished by its sudden clinical onset, insulinogenic, vulnerability to ketosis even in the basal state, and requirement for exogenous insulin to sustain life. Type II diabetes, which can go for years without showing symptoms. Because of insulin resistance insulin levels may be normal, reduced from normal, or increased. Long term diabetics should expect to experience the traditional consequences of the illness although ketosis is not component of the clinical picture just during the period of metabolic stress. Although undetected abnormal tolerance may have existed prior to pregnancy, the diagnosis of abnormal glucose intolerance during pregnancy is known as gestational diabetes (GDM) Compared to non-GDM pregnancies, there is a higher rate of large babies, but there doesn’t seem to be a significant increase in fetal death and congenital anomalies compared general population. Other forms of diabetes comprise a variety of disorders where glucose intolerance is a characteristic and maybe has an etiological connection. People whose glucose tolerance falls somewhere between normal and diabetic are classified as having impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Although the microvascular complications of diabetes do not manifest in these patients, there seems to be a higher incidence of microvascular disease linked to established cardiovascular risk factors. The diagnosis of diabetes can be made by a variety of methods, including the presence of raised glycemic levels and the classic signs and symptoms of the disease; a fasting plasma glucose level of 140 mg/dl or higher; an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test, in which the venous plasma glucose value is 200 mg/dl or higher two hours after 75 grams of oral glucose (Harris MI et al.,1998)

Objectives; The general objective was to determine the self-care practices influencing management of diabetes among penitents receiving care at JOOTRH diabetic clinic. Specifically, the study was seeking to find out the association between sociodemographic characteristic and self-care management practices among diabetic patients and establish healthcare related factors influencing self-care practices in management of diabetic patients. Methods; The proposed study used a prospective cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of patients who are known diabetic enrolled and were attending diabetic clinic, both male and female, those newly diagnosed and those on follow-up. We used Yamane Taro formula, sample size determined to be 60. Data was collected using structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic characteristic and health care related information influencing diabetes management. Version 29.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software was be used to process and analyze the data that had been gathered. Proportions was calculated using as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, pie charts and graphs. The purpose of the proposed study was to generate information on the association between socio-demographic characteristics and self-care practices and factors about healthcare that affect diabetic self-care management practices to provide appropriate care, monitor patients, and avoid complications.