Authors: Ekene Agatha Emeka, Sylvia Tochukwu Echendu, Gabriel Uche Iloh, Esther Ngozi Umeadi, Kenechi Miracle Adinnu, Chidiebele Malachy Ezeude, Arinze Anthony Onwuegbuna, Adaobi Maryann Ibekwe, Florence Nonye Okafor, Michel Chiedu Egbuniwe, George Uchenna Eleje.
Objective: To determine association between perceived family support and control of adult type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Method: A cross-sectional study of patients with T2DM. Level of perceived family support was assessed with standardized Multidimensional Scale of perceived social support-Family scale. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) were also analyzed. Pearson’s and spearman rank correlation were used to determine the strength and the direction of the relationship. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results: Of the 120 participants recruited, 107 participants completed the study and the mean age was 56.9 ± 10.9 years while the mean FBG and HbA1C were 123.06 ± 32.30mg/dl and 6.13 ± 0. 68% respectively. Up to 87.9% of participants had good glycemic control. Participants with poor glycemic control was highest among patients with T2DM ≥ 4 years (p>0.05). Up to 57.0% of participants had high level of perceived family support. Age was significantly associated with high perceived family support (p<0.01). High perceived family support was significantly associated with good glycemic control (p<0.01). High level of perceived family support had direct correlation with FBG and HbA1C.
Conclusion: Participants with high-perceived family support had better glycemic control for T2DM. Physicians should involve family members in T2DM management.