ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS DIABETIC MELLITUS SELF-MANAGEMENT AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING DIABETIC CLINIC AT LUBAGA HOSPITAL KAMPALA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: 

The study aims to assess the attitude and practices towards diabetic mellitus self-management among patients attending diabetic clinics at Lubaga Hospital Kampala district.

 Methodology: 

A descriptive cross-sectional study with 30 respondents collected data using quantitative methodologies. A basic random sample process was performed, and the data was evaluated and analyzed via SPSS.

Results: 

Respondents had fairly good attitudes and practices towards self management43% of participants said it’s dangerous for a DM patient to forget to take medicine, 40% said it’s not dangerous and 17% did not know whether it’s dangerous or not. 63.3% agreed that a DM patient should comply with their diet, 20% said No and 16.67% did not know. 60% followed them less than or 3 days a week while 40% 4-7 days a week and the majority incorporated fruits and vegetables in their diet. 53.3% consumed fried food products less than or 3 days a week while 46% 4-7 days a week. Consumption of fat diet was 50% 4-7 days among the DM patients. The majority of the respondents did exercise at least 30 minutes daily. Medication practices such as adhering to oral hypoglycemic drugs and adhering to insulin therapy were between 4-7 days a week. Of the respondents, 16% washed their feet not less than 4 times a week. 16 (53.3%) were female and 14 (46.6%) males. 

Conclusion: 

The general overview of Attitudes towards the management of Diabetes is recommendable which informed the good practices of respondents towards self-care and adherence to care instructions. 

Recommendation: 

Health workers should more emphasis on giving clear and concise health education to all patients coming for diagnosis or treatment and roll out more sensitization campaigns to raise awareness in the general population.