Impact of Social Engagement on Self-Care Behaviors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract:

Effective self-care is crucial for managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), as it helps prevent complications, reduces hospitalizations, and enhances quality of life. However, in low-resource settings, adherence to self-care practices such as medication use, blood glucose monitoring, diet, physical activity, and foot care remains poor due to inadequate knowledge, weak social support, and systemic barriers. To address these gaps, this study examined the effects of a social-behavioural engagement programme, a structured ten-week intervention combining social support, role-play, and educational sessions, on self-care management among adults with type 2 diabetes in Teaching Hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design with one intervention and one control group. The population comprised adults aged 30-70 with diagnosed T2DM attending outpatient diabetes clinics. A total of 60 participants were systematically selected from Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (intervention site) and Babcock University Teaching Hospital (control site). The sample size was determined using Katz, et al., 2013, N = (Zα + Zβ)2 x P0(1 – P0)/ (P1 – P0). Data were collected using a validated and reliable researcher-developed questionnaire based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model (Cronbach’s alpha =0.70–0.82). Data were analysed using paired and independent sample t-tests at a 5% level of significance with SPSS version 23.0. Findings showed a significant improvement in self-care management from 19.73±3.05 to 30.30±2.91 (t(29)=15.48, p < .001). The study concludes that the Social-behavioral engagement programme substantially improved the Psychosocial and behavioural components of self-care management among adults with T2DM. It recommends that similar structured interventions be adopted and scaled across teaching Hospitals in Nigeria to enhance diabetes control and patient outcomes.