KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND COMPLIANCE OF ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC THERAPY AND THE HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ELELE, RIVERS STATE
Abstract
Diabetes is defined as a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. (WHO, 2021)Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide, posing significant public health challenges in both developed and developing countries. The primary aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and compliance of antihyperglycemic drugs and health seeking behavior among diabetics in Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria. A quantitative, descriptive survey cross sectional design is used to determine. The study will be conducted in Madonna University Teaching Hospital which is a demographic location in Elele, Rivers state Nigeria. In this study, the target population is 90 and it comprises of patients diagnosed of and living with diabetes in MUTH. The estimated sample size for this study is carried out using Taro Yamane formula= 74. Random sampling technique is used. A semi-structured questionnaire is used to collect data for the study. The researcher has examined the knowledge, attitude and compliance of diabetic patients, and their health seeking behavior in MUTH, Elele, Rivers State. The research discovered that although the general knowledge and compliance to medication is at an average, health workers till need to partner more with the patients to eliminate some issues such as inability to adhere to medication regime strictly, inability to visit the hospital regularly for check up to mention but a few. This researcher recommends initiation of diabetes awareness programs and DOTS systems of medication to help boost the health and general health seeking behavior. However, the population of this study is quite small; thus, further research is encouraged to ensure the research findings can be attributed to the general population of diabetics in this area.
Keywords: antihyperglycemic drugs, knowledge, compliance, attitude, health-seeking behavior
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