The socio-economic and behavioural factors associated with poor glycaemic control among adult type 2 diabetic patients attending the outpatient diabetes clinic in tertiary hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes in Africa has been on the increase. A prevalence of 1%- 10% has been reported by different authors in different regions in Nigeria. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1.9% of Nigerians are diabetic and most of them have complications at the time of diagnosis. Laboratory measurement of Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the method of choice for monitoring glycaemic control but due to its cost and limited availability, most developing countries use fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measurement (which is less reliable) to assess glycaemic control. Most diabetic patients in Nigeria have poor glycaemic control and several factors have been implicated especially socio-economic, behavioral and treatment-related factors. Understanding the reasons for poor glycaemic control is essential in order to reduce the rate of diabetes complications.