Illness perception, diabetes knowledge and self-care practices among type-2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study - PubMed (original) (raw)
Illness perception, diabetes knowledge and self-care practices among type-2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study
Nuworza Kugbey et al. BMC Res Notes. 2017.
Abstract
Background: Self-care practices among persons living with type-2 diabetes are very crucial in diabetes manages as poor self-care results in complications. However, little research exists within the Ghanaian context. This study examined whether type-2 diabetes patients' illness perception and diabetes knowledge significantly predict diabetes self-care practices.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed and a total of 160 participants (45 males and 115 females) were sampled from a general hospital in Accra. A self-administered questionnaire measuring illness perception, diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-care practices as well as demographic checklist were used collect data.
Results: Results showed that illness perception and diabetes knowledge significantly predicted overall diabetes self-care practices. Analysis of domain specific self-care practices showed that patients' diet was significantly predicted by illness perception and diabetes knowledge. Exercise was significantly predicted by only illness perception while blood sugar testing and diabetes foot-care were significantly predicted by diabetes knowledge.
Conclusion: Cognitive and emotional representation of diabetes and diabetes knowledge are key determinants of patients' diabetes self-care practices. It is therefore important that appropriate psychosocial interventions are developed to help patients' adherence to recommended self-care practices.
Keywords: Diabetes knowledge; Illness perception; Self-care practices; Type-2 diabetes.
References
- de-Graft Aikins A, Owusu-Dabo E, Agyemang C. Diabetes in Ghana: a review of research on prevalence, experiences and healthcare. In: de-Graft Aikins A, Agyei-Mensah S, Agyeman C, editors. Social Science Series; 2013. p. 41–55.
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