Factors Affecting Blood Glucose Level Among Diabetic Patients at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes is an important non-communicable disease (NCD) that is rapidly attracting the attention of the international medical community and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. The study examined factors affecting blood glucose control among patients attending the diabetic clinic at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the factors affecting blood glucose control among patients attending the diabetic clinic at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 278 patients. Data were collected using a researcher-structured questionnaire comprising three sections with 13 closed-ended items. The data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics and inferential chi-square statistics to test hypotheses at a significance level of p<0.05. The results showed a significant association between the mean age of ≥ 51 years and blood glucose control at a p-value ≤ 0.014. There was a significant association between respondents’ nutritional intake and patients’ blood glucose control. There was also a significant association between medication adherence and blood glucose control. It was observed that patients with a duration of illness of 7 years and above had uncontrolled blood glucose levels. In conclusion, there were significant associations between nutrition, medication, fluid intake, and blood glucose control, whereas educational level had no significant association with blood glucose control; however, a high educational level may be important for blood glucose control. Finally, it was recommended that the government should finance the treatment of diabetic patients by subsidising their medication, provide personal blood glucose monitoring kits, formulate and implement a policy statement on routine blood glucose monitoring for all, and create recreation centres to support exercise.