Social Cultural and Economic Factors Affecting the Practice of Secondary Prevention among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Consolata Nkubu and Meru Level Five Hospital in Meru County

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism. It affects millions of people globally every day and prevalence on the rise due to unhealthy diet and lifestyles. It is associated with chronic complications including cardiovascular diseases, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, foot ulcers and diabetic eye diseases that are all preventable through secondary preventive measures. Once an individual has been diagnosed with T2DM, secondary preventive approaches are essential in preventing the occurrence of chronic complications. However, lack of awareness has been cited as a common reason for the development of complications. This study assessed the effect of social cultural and economic factors on secondary diabetes prevention among patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) at Consolata Hospital Nkubu and Meru Level Five Hospital between March and April 2019. A descriptive correlational study design was adopted to collect data from 357 purposively sampled participants with T2DM using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion Guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 at 95% confidence interval and a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Most respondents attended Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. Majority of the respondents were aged between 40 - 60 years. 31.6% had secondary level of education and 67% were employed. 70.6% did foot examination on every visit, 65% BP monitoring while 56.5% did annual eye screening. Level of income, affordability of services, health insurance cover of the patients, monthly cost of DM management and traditional beliefs in managing DM all significantly influenced secondary prevention at a p value ≤ 0.05. The factors need to be addressed to reduce the global burden posed by the disease