The knowledge and practice of self-care management among patients attending a diabetes clinic in Kigali, Rwanda

Background: Self-care management in diabetic patients is crucial to control and prevent associated complications. Diabetes complications are still highly prevalent and are mostly attributed to the lack of self-care knowledge and practices. Methods : A descriptive cross-sectional design approach explored self-care knowledge and practice among 80 participants attending a diabetes clinic in Kigali in 2011. Data were collected using a   self-administered questionnaire that assessed 4 levels of diabetes self-care knowledge and practices which are respectively diet, blood glucose monitoring, physical activities and foot care. Results : Participants had a self-care knowledge gap in some areas of diabetes self- management. As  many as 54.9% (n=44) of participants did not know the frequency of blood sugar testing; 63.7% (n=51) did not know the importance of snack/meal before exercising and 70% (n=56) among them were not taking a snack/meal before exercising. The participants experienced some complications: feet problems 88.7% (n=71); retinopathy 15% (n=12); hypertension 23.7% (n=19) and kidney diseases 8.7% (n=7). Conclusion : There were self-care knowledge and practice gaps in some areas of diabetes self-care  management. Health care providers, particularly nurses should play a key role in providing with accurate information on diabetes self-care. Key words : Diabetes, Self-care knowledge, self-care management