Knowledge, Practices, and Barriers to Diabetes Self-Management Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in a Rwandan...

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Effective self-management is vital for controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and preventing complications.
• Patients with T2DM frequently encounter barriers that hinder adherence to recommended care practices.
• Understanding these barriers is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of knowledge regarding T2DM.
• To evaluate self-care practices among T2DM patients.
• To identify barriers to diabetes self-management in a Rwandan referral hospital setting.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK).
• Data were collected from 140 T2DM patients using a self-administered structured questionnaire.
• Systematic sampling was employed, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (73.6%) practiced regular diabetes self-care, and 74.3% had adequate T2DM knowledge.
• However, 60.7% reported significant barriers, mainly financial constraints and insufficient information from healthcare providers.
• Factors like age (50-59), marital status, and lower socioeconomic status (Ubudehe Category 1) were associated with increased barriers, while higher education and urban residence were protective.

Conclusions:

• Many T2DM patients in Rwanda exhibit good self-care and knowledge but face substantial barriers, particularly financial and educational.
• Interventions targeting diabetes literacy and socioeconomic inequalities are necessary.
• Enhancing self-management is key to improving long-term outcomes for T2DM patients in Rwanda.