Diabetes patients need support to practise self-monitoring of blood Glucose levels

Diabetes self-management practice is one of the strategies for diabetes control. A previous European study have shown that knowledge, support, motivation and empowerment are important factors that influence diabetes self-management. The present study sought to determine if Trinidad and Tobago type 2 diabetes patients who self-managed their diabetes through self-monitoring of blood glucose levels (SMBG) needed and/or received any support. Thus, 416 primary care type 2 diabetes patients who use personal glucose meters to self-monitor their blood glucose levels were consecutively recruited and interviewed at the clinics between September 2010 and March 2011. The patients aged between 35 and 93 years old. About 79% of the patients were either retired or unemployed and about 94% had no private health insurance policies. The majority (86%) of the patients did not belong to any diabetes support group. The majority (86%) of the patients live with family members while 14% live alone. Although 60% of the patients thought that they needed support to practice SMBG, 74% specifically indicated that they needed family support to practice SMBG. It is concluded that diabetes patients who attempt self-management of their diabetes needs the support and encouragement of both family members and the healthcare team