Self-monitoring of blood glucose and its association with glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients at a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the level and determinants of SMBG knowledge and practice and its association with glycaemic control among T2DM patients.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: National Diabetes Management and Research Centre (NDMRC) of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, GhanaParticipants: Two hundred and fifty-six adult T2DM patients who had attended the clinic for at least 6 months, were non-pregnant, had no acute complications or severe illness and could provide informed consent were enrolled from 30th August 2021 to 8th October 2021.Interventions: An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants' anthropometric and clinical data, and SMBG knowledge and practice. Venous fasting blood glucose and glycosylated glucose (HbA1c) were taken to determine glycaemic control.Main outcome measures: Level and determinants of SMBG knowledge and practice and glycaemic control.Results: At least 73% of participants had poor glycaemic control, with a mean HbA1c of 8.72 (2.20); 95% CI: 0.96 (0.27-3.34), and a mean FBS of 9.92 (5.31); 95% CI: 1.02 (0.45-2.72). Determinants of poor SMBG knowledge and practice included age < 50 years (95% CI-2.21(1.01-10.08), male sex (95% CI-1.53(0.34-6.81), lower income ≤ 1000.0GHC/month (95% CI-0.2(0.02-2.20), not owning a glucose meter, (95% CI-4.12(3.12-16.01), FBS ≤ 7.2mmol/L (95% CI-1.02(0.45-2.77), and HbA1c ≤ 7.2% (95% CI-0.96(0.27-3.34).Conclusion: Most participants had poor glycaemic control and poor SMBG knowledge and practice. Determinants of poor SMBG knowledge and practice included lower age, lower income, male sex, FBS ≤ 7.2 mmol/l and HbA1c ≤ 7.2%. Future research on education, practical training, and patient support may address this problem.