Diabetic Self-Management Practices and Glycaemic Control Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients Attending Diabetic Clinic at Nyeri County Referral Hospital

Abstract

Diabetic self-management practices and adherence are critical factors in the effective management of type 2 diabetes. Despite various policies and strategies, health status and outcomes in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya remain unsatisfactory. This study therefore sought to identify drivers of diabetes self-management practices among type 2 diabetics who attend the diabetic clinic in Nyeri County Referral Hospital, Kenya. This study employed a mixed methods cross-sectional analytical research design. Data for this study were collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and chi-square and binary logistic regression statistics were used to analyse the data with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27 for Windows. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis with the help of NVIVO. The study found that the prevalence of good glycaemic control and adherence to diabetes self-management were 13.4% and 58.6%, respectively. High adherence to DSM was observed among older patients, especially those aged 50–59 years (p=0.032) and 60–69 years (p=0.048), as well as patients who received cash transfer (p=0.008). A statistically significant association (p = 0.026) was found between diabetes self-management and glycaemic control. The study therefore concluded that diabetic self-management practices are associated with glycaemic control. However, structural barriers prevented adherence from translating into good glycaemic outcomes. The study recommends that improving diabetes outcomes requires not only strengthening patient adherence but also addressing systemic challenges that prevent adherence from translating into effective glycaemic control.