Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of Self-Monitoring of Bood Glucose (SMBG) among diabetic patients aged 18 years and above at Kawolo Hospital Buikwe District
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of
blood glucose (or blood sugar) which leads overtime to serious complications. The
prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing over the past few decades and current
reports indicate that it is taking position among the leading causes of death contributing to
almost 1.5 million deaths each year. By 2021, the number of diabetics worldwide was
537million and it is expected to grow until 2045 more so in low- and middle-income
countries among which Uganda is categorised. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes,
there is still low sensitisation of the public about the disease.
It is scientifically proved that lifestyle, medication and diet are important in managing and
preventing diabetes. Concerning lifestyle, Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) is
believed to help the patient to understand his/her dynamic blood glucose profile and
subsequently design an appropriate schedule of food, activity and medication as well as
understanding the timing of blood glucose variations. Lack of regular SMBG predicts
hospitalization for diabetes related complications.
This study was therefore aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-
monitoring of blood glucose among diabetic patients aged 18 years and above at Kawolo
Hospital-Buikwe district. Specific objectives included: i) Assessing the knowledge, practice
and attitudes of diabetic patients towards self-monitoring of blood sugar, ii) Determining
factors that affect behaviour towards monitoring blood sugars, iii) Determining the
relationship between diabetic status and the ability and willingness to carryout self-
monitoring of blood glucose. The study was a cross sectional descriptive study where a total
of 123 were systematically sampled from the hospital registers in the outpatient department.
Data was collected from the consented eligible patients using structured interviews with a
well-designed questionnaire that was designed basing on the study objectives.
Majority (65%) of the respondents were within the age group of 46-69 years and most
(68.3%) of them were females. Majority (53.3%) of the respondents were from rural areas
and married (56.7%). The highest number (38.3%) of the respondents attained only primary
level education. Majority (57%) of the respondents had either average or good level of
knowledge about self-monitoring of blood glucose and there was a significant positive correlation between demographic characteristics and knowledge of respondents regarding
SMBG. More than half (78.3%) of the respondents didn’t monitor their blood glucose and
most of them attached it to poverty. A significant positive correlation was also observed
between the medical history of patients (prescription to medication, time of diagnosis and
diabetes family history) and practice of SMBG at p<0.05 well as the correlation between
education level and practice of SMBG was found to be insignificant. Only 6 (23.1%)
respondents who monitored their glucose recorded and discussed their results with the doctor.
Majority (58.3%) of the respondents had positive attitudes towards self-monitoring of blood
glucose and a significant correlation between some demographics (gender and employment
status) and attitude towards SMBG was observed well as the correlation between attitude and
other demographics was found to be insignificant. There was a significant (p=0.000) positive
correlation (r=0.506) between practice of SMBG and glycemic control at p<0.05.
In conclusion, diabetic patients at Kawolo hospital are informed and positive about SMBG
however, there is still much need to improve on awareness and fill knowledge gaps about
SMBG as well as designing possible ways of providing the required blood glucose
monitoring apparatus at reduced or free costs by the concerned bodies