Assessment of diabetes self-management amongst Nigerians using the diabetes self-management questionnaire: a cross-sectional study

Introduction self-management is probably the most important factor contributing to achieving euglycaemia. The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ) is an instrument that shows favourable prospects compared to older measures. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-management and glycaemic control using the DSMQ, and determine factors that affect glycaemic control in patients living with diabetes mellitus. Methods a cross-sectional analytic study of 103 patients, carried out in a public tertiary health institution located in a Southern Nigerian City. An interviewer administered DSMQ was used to assess self-management among the patients. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0.0, and AMOS 22.0.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, New York, USA). Results females had significantly lower DSMQ scores compared to males (40 vs. 36, P=0.015) while median DSMQ score was highest in participants with tertiary level of education (P=0.017), and those who earned the highest annual income (P=0.007). The DSMQ´s behaviour scales showed a notable negative correlation with HbA1c (-0.565, P < 0.001). More females (80.3%) than males (56.3%) had high HbA1C (X2=6.44, P=0.016). Conclusion diabetes self-management using DSMQ showed significant correlation with glycaemic control. Male sex, higher income, and higher level of education are associated with better self-management and glycaemic control.