GLYCEMIC CONTROL

The purpose of this study is to find out the Perceived challenges to Dietary compliance and glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital school facilities. Three research questions are raised and one hypothesis was formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significant. The study will employ a cross-sectional survey design to examine perceived challenges to dietary compliance and glycemic control among diabetes patients at University of Benin Teaching Hospital from February, 2025 to March 2025. This comprises of patients that came to COPD of the UBTH for two months from February 2025 to March 2025. The Taro Yamane method was used in determining the sample size. The sample size was made up of 201. The research instrument was accessed by an expert, my supervisor and two lecturers from the Department of Educational management, Faculty of Education, University of Benin to examine the appropriateness of the research instrument. The instrument to be used for data collection was a questionnaire which is made based on the objectives of the study The obtained data was analyzed to ascertain the perceived challenges of Dietary compliance and glycemic control among patients with diabetes mellitus using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and mean deviation. The researcher also will use inferential statistics to give answers to the research questions while regression statistics will be used to analyze the stated hypothesis in the study.

Effective glycemic control is essential for preventing diabetes-related complications, yet knowledge gaps and practice barriers persist among patients in resource-limited settings. This study examined knowledge, practices, and factors affecting glycemic control among diabetic patients at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. A cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted among 174 adult diabetic patients attending the Consultant Outpatient Department. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. While 62% demonstrated overall good knowledge, critical deficits emerged in technical understanding: only 16.7% correctly defined glycemic control, 2.9% recognized HbA1c testing, and 26.4% understood appropriate monitoring frequency. Conversely, over 90% correctly identified symptoms, lifestyle modifications, and complications. Self-management practices were generally good (mean 3.37), with high medication adherence (85.6%) and clinic attendance (91.4%), but poor blood glucose monitoring (mean 3.20) and foot care (mean 2.47). Financial barriers emerged as primary impediments: 82.7% found glucometer kits too expensive, 58.6% struggled to afford medications, and 85.7% found monitoring painful. Additionally, 69% perceived cultural foods as incompatible with diabetes control, and 44.9% lacked glucometer use skills.Despite good symptom awareness and medication adherence, critical gaps in technical knowledge and substantial financial barriers limit effective glycemic self-management. Interventions must address both educational deficits in monitoring competence and structural barriers through subsidized supplies, skills training, and culturally adapted dietary counseling.