ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS OF DIABETES TYPE TWO AND ITS PREVENTION AMONG PEOPLE OF KADUNA STATE

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at assessing the awareness of diabetes type two and it’s prevention among people of kaduna state. The study was carried out among patients with diabetes at Gambo Sawnba Hospital Zaria. The study was a cross sectional survey with the administration of a structured questionnaire. A convenient sampling technique was used to select the participants for the study. The sample size comprised 110 patients with type 2- diabetes. The data was analysed using the IBM SPSS version 22. The findings of the study revealed that response of  patients with diabetes mellitus’s awareness on Management and Prevention practices had a significant positive influence on only the patient’s type of foot wear preferred (p=0.001), but had no significant relationship with monitoring blood sugar level (p=0.176), diabetes medication (p=0.326) and diabetes education (p = 0.182) of Management and Prevention practices. Further analysis showed that patients’ demographic characteristics such as sex had no significant effect on level of awareness on diabetes (p=0.514) but occupation (p=0.001), religion (p=0.003), educational background (p=0.002), marital status (p=0.003) and age (p=0.006) had a significant relationship. The study concludes that the awareness on diabetes among patients with type 2 diabetes who seek medical care at Gambo Sawnba Hospital Zaria is quite low and most likely has a negative effect on their Management and Prevention practices.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Diabetes is a serious global public health issue which has been described as the most challenging health problem in the 21st century (WHO, 2014). According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2020), Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. According to WHO (2020), 422 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes and it is more prevalent in low- and middle-income countries than in high income countries. The American Diabetes Association (2018), reported about 34.2 million people with diabetes in United States alone, while in developing countries, increase in prevalence is expected to occur especially in Asia and Africa, where most cases are likely to be found by 2030.  The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Atlas (2013), reported that figures regarding diabetes in Africa are quite startling. It stated that over 21 million people within the ages of 20-79 years had diabetes with a prevalence rate of 5.1% and this figure is projected to double by the year 2035. This means that currently, 1 in 20 adults have diabetes. The total cost of diabetes related health expenditure was estimated at 4.5 billion USD and is expected to increase to 6.4 billion USD by the year 2035.

There are three major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. All types of diabetes mellitus have something in common. Global status report from WHO (2011) on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), postulated that NCDs including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) will become the leading cause of death on the African continent by 2030. There has been a drastic increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes over the past decades due to the perpetual increase in obesity (Kyrou & Kumar, 2010).   Normally, the body breaks down sugars and carbohydrates into a special sugar called glucose. Glucose fuels the cells in the body, but the cells need insulin, a hormone in the bloodstream in order to take in the glucose and use it for energy. With diabetes mellitus, either the body doesn’t make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does produce, or a combination of both. Since the cells can’t take in the glucose, it builds up in the blood. High levels of blood glucose can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, heart, eyes, or nervous system. Diabetes if left untreated, can eventually cause heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage (Diabetic Neuropathy) a type of nerve damaging disorders associated with diabetes mellitus (Papadakis, et al, 2014).Although physicians have found some medications and other treatments that help ease these symptoms in some people, prevention continues to be the key.  (Joslin, 2015). Poorly managed diabetes can lead to a host of long-term complications among these are heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and blood vessel disease that may require an amputation, nerve damage, and impotence in men. If the blood glucose is kept close to normal as possible, it can help in reducing the risk of developing some of these complications.

Along with decreased productivity and slowing economic development, the disease imposes a significant economic burden in terms of health care costs (Whiting, 2011). Diabetes classic symptoms include excessive water consumption, excessive urination, excessive eating, and weight loss. There is mounting evidence that preventing and/or postponing the development of diabetes is a possible option via a better diet, greater physical activity, and moderate weight loss in order to avoid those with impaired glucose tolerance from advancing to outright diabetes (Chiasson, 2007). Additional risk factors for diabetes include inherited genetic characteristics, which are prevalent in those with a family history of diabetes; obesity; and excessive alcohol intake (Braunwald, 2016). Complications of diabetes mellitus mostly impact the eyes, kidneys, cardiovascular, and neurological systems clinically. Diabetes mellitus, according to Hall (2014), is a highly prevalent and severely debilitating chronic disease that has affected humanity. The disease is an increasing source of public health concern in developing nations, just as it has been for a lengthy period of time in the majority of industrialized countries (Braunwald, 2009).

Awareness of diabetes mellitus may help avoid the onset of chronic co-morbidities, which have a substantial influence on an individual’s quality of life. Information may assist individuals in determining their risk of acquiring diabetes, motivating them to seek appropriate treatment and helping them to adopt behaviors that can help avoid the development of diabetes. Thus, this research aims to assess the awareness of diabetes type two and it’s prevention among people of kaduna state.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has emerged as one of the most challenging public health problems in the 21stcentury. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the number of diabetes patients will reach 300 million by 2025 (medoc, 2014).The number of diabetes diagnosed cases in Africa has increased over the years (IDF, 2011). It currently affects over 366 million people worldwide and this figure is likely to double by 2030. According to the World Health Organization, there is one diabetes specialist available for 10,000 Nigerians (WHO, 2012). Diabetes mellitus, if left uncontrolled or improperly managed, may result in significant complications such as blindness, renal failure, and cardiovascular difficulties. These often arise in persons who are unaware of the disease. The purpose of this research was to determine the level of awareness, awareness, and effect of diabetes  It is in view of this that the researcher intends to the impact of diabetes a leading causes of death in Nigeria, how nurses through education and health promotion could increase diabetes awareness among Nigeria.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

This research seeks to:

1. To investigate the causes of type 2 diabetes in Nigeria
2. To ascertain the extent of type 2 diabetes awareness carryout by Nigeria Government
3. To investigate the role of health practitioners in reducing the adverse effect of diabetes
4. To suggest possible solution to the identified problem.

1.4  Research Questions

The following research questions have been set to guide the study:

1. What are the common causes of type 2 diabetes in Nigeria?
2. What is the level of awareness of patients with Type 2 diabetes?
3. What is the level of effectiveness of diabetes Management and Prevention practices among patients with Type 2 diabetes?
4. Which factors influence diabetes Management and Prevention among patients with Type 2 diabetes?

1.5  Significance of the Study

Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart failure, renal failure, blindness, and stroke. The control of blood pressure is important in the management of Diabetes. Hence, knowing the risk associated with diabetes, it becomes necessary to educate the young ones on the causes, symptoms and effects of diabetes. This will help to control the prevalence of the illness.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic awareness with regards to awareness, awareness and impact of diabetes

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be of benefit to ministry of health. The study educates nurses on how to educate, prevent and manage diabetes. The study will also be of great benefit to the researchers who intends to embark on research on similar topics as it will serve as a guide. Finally, the study will be of great importance to academia’s, lecturers, teachers, students and the general public.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study focuses on an assessment of the awareness of diabetes type two and it’s prevention among people of kaduna state. The scope of the study covers diabetes a leading causes of death in Nigeria, how nurses through education and health promotion could increase diabetes awareness among Nigeria. Therefore, the respondents for this study will be obtained from all type 2 diabetic patients who sought for medical care at Gambo Sawnba Hospital Zaria, Kaduna State.

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Possible limitations include:

1. a) Availability of Research Material:The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) Time:The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Organizational privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.

1.7 Operational Definitions

In order to avoid some ambiguities and individual interpretation of certain concepts used in this research, we define these concepts used in this study below:

AWARENESS: Awareness is the ability to directly know and perceive, to feel, or to be cognizant of events. More broadly, it is the state of being conscious of something.

DIABETES: Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).

Diabetes Mellitus:  It is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia mainly due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin hormone (WHO, 2014).

CAUSES: A person or thing that acts, happens, or exists in such a way that some specific thing happens as a result; the producer of an effect

Management and Prevention: Self- Management practices are behaviours that are exhibited by diabetes patients or people at risk of diabetes so that they can on their own manage the disease successfully.

Insulin: Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use.

1.8  Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS OF DIABETES TYPE TWO AND ITS PREVENTION AMONG PEOPLE OF KADUNA STATE. GET MORE PUBLIC HEALTH PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS

 

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