Awareness Assessment of Treatment Target Goals for Persons Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Accessing Care in a Tertiary Health Facility, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Diabetes clinic visits by persons living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (PLWDM) afford the healthcare professionals (HCPs) opportunities to assess their achievements of the recommended treatment targets for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), and body mass index (BMI). Meeting these targets significantly affect treatment outcome in diabetes mellitus (DM). Awareness of the treatment targets by PLWDM attending the diabetes clinic of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, Southeast Nigeria, is not known. This study, therefore, set out to bridge this gap in knowledge. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study in which consenting PLWDM attending the diabetes clinic of ABSUTH, Aba, were consecutively recruited. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was filled for each subject to assess their knowledge and awareness of the treatment target goals for HbA1C, BP, lipid profile, and BMI. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 software. Results: A total of 165 persons living with DM, 60 (36.4%) males and 105 (63.6%) females, participated in the study. Majority of them (89.1%) were ignorant of HbA1C and its implications while awareness of their treatment target goals for HbA1C, BP, lipid profile, and BMI was very low at 1.8%, 16.4%, 1.8%, and 0%, respectively, despite their formal educational levels. Conclusion/Recommendation: Awareness of treatment target goals for HBA1C, BP, lipid profile, and BMI was very low among PLWDM in Aba, southeast Nigeria. It is strongly recommended that the HCPs step up their games in diabetes education programs.