Problems associated with treatment compliance among type 2 diabetic patients at a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

This study analyses the problems associated with compliance to treatment among type 2 diabetic patients attending the out-patient clinic in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. It also determines the extent to which patients comply with medications and understand blood sugar control. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires from 30 randomly selected subjects. An analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that 30% of the respondents were aged between 40 and 50 years, 63% were married, and 37% had secondary education. Those with a duration of diabetes of more than 5 years totalled 30%. 43% reported on understanding of good glycaemic control, while 33% defaulted in taking medications. Also, 37% agreed that medications should be stopped when they are feeling well, while 40% agreed that compliance was associated with fear of hypoglycaemia. It is important to explore the precursors to treatment adherence behaviour and to carry out interventions that can change negative attitudes toward treatment compliance and promote medical knowledge, which may help improve compliance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Perceptions on the use of insecticide treated nets in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria: implications for preventing malaria in pregnancy.

This study aimed at assessing perceptions on use of ITNs in parts of the Imo River Basin, Nigeria and its implications in preventing malaria in pregnancy. Data was collected using focus group discussions, key informant interviews and structured questionnaires. Results showed high awareness on the benefits of ITNs. Factors affecting use of ITNs included its high cost, perceptions of chemicals used to treat them as having dangerous effects on pregnancy, low utilization of antenatal care, husband's lack of interest in malaria prevention and perceptions that adolescent girls are at low risk of getting malaria. The implications of these findings include demystifying the negative perceptions on the chemicals used for net treatment and subsidizing the cost of ITNs to increase access. These findings provide important lessons for malaria programmes that aim at increasing access to ITNs by pregnant women in developing countries.