Diabetes Knowledge, Health Belief, and Diabetes Management Among the Igala, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the association and influence of diabetes knowledge and health beliefs on diabetes management among the Igala, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 152 respondents living with diabetes. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Almost half of the respondents had low diabetes knowledge. Significant relationship existed between level of diabetes knowledge and diabetes management (1, N = 152) = 8.456, p = .004. There was a significant positive relationship between perceived severity (0.549, p = .000), perceived benefits (12.383, p = .000), and diabetes management. The regression result showed that diabetes knowledge influenced diabetes management (β = .262, t = 3.328, p = .001) and health beliefs affected diabetes management (β = .07865, t = 2.439, p < .016). Although diabetes knowledge and health belief are cognitive factors in diabetes management, they should not be considered in isolation of other social factors.