Perceptions on factors influencing self-monitoring of blood glucose amongst individuals with Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is considered as one of the diabetes regimes which depends on one's self-care behaviour and empowers people to understand and thereby manage their own glycaemic control (United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Group, 1998; National Institute for Clinical Excellence UK, 2003). The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes about SMBG. The study was conducted in a local health centre, where individuals attend for their 3 to 6 monthly appointment at the Diabetes Clinic. A convenience sample of 15 individuals was chosen for the study. The participants recruited were selected according to their type of treatment, being oral hypoglycaemic treatment or insulin treatment. Data was collected through structured interviews. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Findings from this study showed that the majority of the participants do not perform SMBG, even though they consider SMBG to be a very important procedure for obtaining optimal blood glucose control. Knowledge about ideal blood glucose levels was found to be adequate amongst the majority of the participants. The study also revealed that participants who carry out SMBG do not adjust their treatment according to blood glucose results. However, they reported adjusting their diet. ln relation to perceived factors which may support or hinder SMBG, the most prominent factor hindering SMBG was the financial issue involved in purchasing the equipment to carry out the test. Also, perceived complexity of the procedure, low self confidence in carrying out the test and lack of recommendations by health care professionals, were some other factors which hindered SMBG practice. Pain, lifestyle interference and time limitations were not perceived as major barriers hindering SMBG. All the factors seemed to influence the participants' health beliefs about SMBG. Owing to its various limitations, findings of this study cannot be generalised. Nonetheless, discussion of findings and recommendations for practice and education, are included in this project.