ORCID
0009-0001-4859-7163
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a significant public health concern globally and in Owerri, southeast Nigeria. The deleterious effects of diabetes have been linked to poor glycemic control. According to the International Diabetes Federation, poor glycemic control is reflected in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels > 7.0%, which are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown a dramatic rise in diabetic complications in Nigeria, particularly in Owerri. However, evidence is lacking regarding the specific risk factors associated with poor glycemic control among DM patients in Owerri. This study assessed the predictors of poor glycemic control in a hospital setting in Owerri. For the study, we recruited a cross-section of 160 type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetes clinic at the Federal Medical Center in Owerri. Independent variables were age, sex, medication adherence, education, body mass index, and blood pressure, while the dependent variable was glycemic control measured using HbA1c. The prevalence of poor glycemic control in the participants was 76.9%. Age (p = 0.019) and medication adherence (p = 0.015) were predictors of glycemic control in the subjects. Younger age (< 60 years) and poor medication adherence had increased odds of 1.1 and 23 for poor glycemic control, respectively. This finding has the potential to promote positive social change through a focus on the younger age group and patients with poor medication adherence as an approach to improve glycemic control.
