Self-care of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1dm) attending rural outpatient medical clinics in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Types 1 Diabetes mellitus in adolescents continue to be a public health concern, anda chronic disease, that requires lifelong insulin therapy. In this perspective, the literature points to the fact that self-care may be of great value for maintaining glycemic control and preventing complications associated with T1DM among adolescents. Considering that there is little knowledge of self-care in the Rwanda context for supporting adolescents with T1DM, it is suggested that this study is of great value for exploring self-care among adolescents for more informed self-care since self-care is determined by knowledge, attitude and practice of an individual. Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect, organize, and analyze data. A researcher wants to measure the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the participants. Therefore, the variables (KAP) were measured on a predefined scale and were analyzed with statistical procedures to determine associations between these variables. Data was analysed by using statistical software SPSS version 25. The analysis involved both descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: Tables and graphs were used to present results. Frequency and percentage were used for summarizing data, while means and standard deviation showed central tendency and dispersion of this summarized data. The knowledge scores > 70% indicated adequate knowledge, while knowledge scores < 70%, indicating insufficient knowledge. Besides, attitudes scores > 70% indicated the positive attitudes scale, while attitudes scores < 70%, indicate negative attitudes. Related to practice also the scores > 70% indicate good practice, scores < 70%, indicate poorpractice. Conclusion: T1DM is a long-lasting disease which has a noteworthy impact not only on adolescents’ lives of but also on their families. Therefore, this study permitted us to identify the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of self-care among adolescents with types1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Generally, there was a high level of knowledge found in 29.2% of adolescents, 74.3% have a positive attitude and 20.1% have a good practice, therefore the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on self-care of adolescents with type1 diabetes mellitus need to be enhanced because it is below the expected level.