Author(s):
Ismaila Abubakar Yakubu, Lateefat NG Imam, Abdulsalam A, Attahiru Zubairu
Abstract:
The study assessed the practice of diabetes mellitus management among diabetic patients attending general hospitals in Northern States of Nigeria. The study use descriptive survey research design which is a non-experimental design. The population comprises all diabetic patients attending Out-Patients Department in general hospitals across Northern States of Nigeria. A total of 405 respondents were randomly sampled and were distributed using purposive sampling. 400 copies of questionnaire were retrieved, using multi-stage sampling techniques. A modified four (4) points Likert measuring scale format was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages were used to describe demographic information of respondents; mean and standard deviation were used for the research questions, while inferential statistics of one Sample t-test, Independent sample t-test and ANOVA was used to test hypotheses. The analyses was conducted with a decision criterion of 0.05 alpha level of significance. Results revealed that practice of diabetes management among diabetic patients are significant, (P-value 0.00). There were no significant differences in the practice between male and female diabetic patients towards diabetes mellitus management, (P-value 0.176). The practice of diabetes mellitus management among diabetic patients of different educational status significantly differ, (P-value 0.004). While the practice of diabetes mellitus management do not significantly differ in the Northern States of Nigeria based on age (with P-values 0.230). In conclusion, diabetic patients have practice towards diabetes mellitus management in Northern States, Nigeria. The participants among male and female patients do not differ in their practice of diabetes mellitus management. Significant difference however existed in the practice of diabetic patients of different educational status. While the practice of diabetic patients of different age groups do not differ. Based on the conclusion, the following recommendation were made Health Educators should further a comprehension health education, further emphasis a comprehensive health promotion strategy for diabetes and its related risk factors to sustain their knowledge.