Diabetes: knowledge, psychosocial impact, and attitude of patients

The scourge of diabetes has been increasing worldwide with a tendency to double, from 176 to 370 million people by 2030 according to WHO prediction. In Nigeria, only 20 % of the 3.2 million estimated to have diabetes are aware of it. Among those already diagnosed, about 50 % have poor glycaemic control attributable to poor diabetes self-management despite effective medication. Diabetes self-management in addition to medical therapy, lifestyle modification and education are key to the management of diabetes. This study aims to determine the knowledge, psychosocial impact and attitude of people with diabetes to diabetes with a view to make recommendations for a more encompassing patient-based management of diabetes. A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire in the endocrinology clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, interviewed 104 consecutive newly diagnosed patients with diabetes who willingly consented to the study. One hundred and four patients with an equal male to female ratio were interviewed. The 41–60-year (78.8 %) age group and traders (66.3 %) constituted the greatest number. Majority (58.7 %) heard of diabetes prior to their diagnosis, but many (41.3 %) did not. This knowledge was significantly associated with occupation (0.022). Many (84.6 %) were willing to disclose diagnosis to family and friends as well as join a support group (61.5 %). But, the major reason for this inclination was wrong. Many never heard of diabetes prior to their diagnosis. In spite of being aware, a diagnosis of diabetes is associated with different emotional responses and attitudes including willingness to disclose their diagnosis and get support. Appropriate treatment based on current medical knowledge, self-management education and development of diabetic support groups is recommended.