FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH LEVEL OF ADHERENCE TO RECOMMENDED SELF CARE PRACTICES AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN NYERI PROVINCIAL GENERAL HOSPITAL DIABETES CLINIC, NYERI, KENYA
Anthony M. Mbutiti - Master of Science in Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Prof. A. O. Makokha - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. C. Mbakaya - Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
L. N. Muthami - Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing at a startling rateglobally, in Kenya, it is estimated to be 6-10%. Diabetes Mellitus is a challenging disease to manage successfully; its treatment aims to achieve adequate glycemic control and patients need to be actively involved in their care. Adherence to self-care recommendations on lifestyle, including diet and exercise, improves disease outcomes. However, studies have shown many patients do not adhere. This proposed study aimed to determine the factors associated with the level of adherence to recommended self-care practices and explored the challenges encountered by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Adherence was measured through the frequency of performing self-care activities using a pre-tested and modified version of The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Measure. Independent variables including socioeconomic and demographic factors, disease-related factors, knowledge on self-care, attitude towards self-care and healthcare provider and healthcare system factors were compared to the dependent variable, the level of adherence. This study, based at the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital diabetes clinic, employed a mixed-methods study design. The quantitative phase was allowed determination of the level of adherence as a percentage and the factors associated with the level of adherence were determined through bivariate and multivariate analysis. The qualitative study helped explain the quantitative results by exploring the challenges patients encountered in adhering. Qualitative data was analyzed mathematically from the recurring codes. This study was expected to reveal factors associated with the level of adherence to recommended self-care practices and challenges encountered in adhering which provided useful evidence in designing interventions aimed at strengthening self-care practices among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. At the conclusion of the investigation, a manuscript was submitted to a relevant health journal.
