Improving self-management skills among adults living with insulin-treated  diabetes in rural Lilongwe, Malawi: A pilot study

Nkambule, Ellen; Msiska, Gladys

Improving self-management skills among adults living with insulin-treated diabetes in rural Lilongwe, Malawi: A pilot study

Date

2021-11-11

Authors

Nkambule, Ellen

Msiska, Gladys

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Title of the study: Improving self-management skills among adults living with insulin-treated diabetes in Rural Lilongwe, Malawi: A pilot study. Type of study Mixed methods study approach that will employ both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Problem statement This pilot study is a follow up of a qualitative study which explored the experiences of insulin treated diabetic patients in rural Lilongwe which revealed problems which rural-based diabetic patients experience. The study revealed compromised self-management and persistent ill health and this set the impetus for this pilot study. Objectives of the study Broad objective The aim of this pilot intervention study to investigate the impact of selected evidence-based intervention on the utilization of self-management practices among insulin-treated patients in Lilongwe rural.” Specific objectives 1. Assess knowledge on diabetes self-management practices among rural-based insulin treated diabetes patients 2. Evaluate the impact of the interventions on glycaemic control among the rural-based insulin-treated diabetic patients through regular monitoring of blood sugar using glucometers. 3. Explore post-intervention experiences of rural-based insulin-treated diabetic patients. Methodology Research design: This pilot study will employ mixed methods research research design and it will be conducted in three phases namely the pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention phases. The pre-intervention phase will employ a survey design inorder to assess the knowledge of the participants and their compliance to the recommended self-management practices. The intervention phase will employ a prospective, single-arm, longitudinal study. The post intervention phase will have both quantitative and qualitative strands. The quantitative strand will employ a survey design while the qualitative strand will employ exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Study setting: Kamuzu Central Hospital, Malawi. Target population: Adult insulin-dependent diabetic clients attending Diabetic clinic. Sampling: This study will use convinient sampling to recruit participants. Sample size: The study will use a sample of 10 participants. Data collection: Self administeredquestionaire and face-to-face in-depth interviews. Data analysis: Quantitative data will be analysed through SPSS, while qualitative data will be analysed manually using thematic analysis. Ethical considerations: Ethical approval for the study will be sought from the College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC). Informed consent will be sought from the individual study participants and participation will be voluntary. Privacy and confidentiality of participants will be observed. Expected findings: The study will offer opportunities for rural-based insulin-treated diabetic patients to be strengthened in self-management practices Dissemination of the results: The findings will be disseminated at conferences both locally and internationally and will also be published in peer reviewed Nursing and Midwifery Journals.