Perceptions of Caribbean type 2 diabetes patients on self-monitoring of blood glucose

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

  • C. E. Ezenwaka
  • A. Olukoga
  • P. Onuoha
  • R. Worrell
  • Skinner, Timothy
  • H. Mayers
  • E. Martin
  • C. Phillip

Context: The views of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients have not been considered in the debate on the role of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in the management of T2DM. Objective: To assess the views of T2DM patients on SMBG. Methods: Two previously trained research assistants used a structured pre-tested questionnaire to interview 416 T2DM patients practising SMBG in out-patient clinics in the privacy of the patients after they have consented to be interviewed. Results: 79% of patients were unemployed with mean duration of diabetes of 11.8±0.5 year. 94% of patients did not have health insurance policies while 86% did not belong to any diabetes support group. Although 70% of the patients identified SMBG as expensive, 94% believed it assists glycaemic control, while 89% thought it was worth the expense. Conclusion: Caribbean T2DM patients believe SMBG was beneficial for the management of their diabetes and empowering them may reduce diabetes complications.

Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Physiology and Biochemistry
Volume118
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)16-21
Number of pages6
ISSN1381-3455
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2012

    Research areas

  • Cardiovascular disease, Developing countries, Diabetes complications, Self-management, Type 2 diabetes

ID: 189873560