Diabetes Knowledge, Health Belief, and Diabetes Management Among the Igala, Nigeria

The study examined the association and influence of diabetesknowledge and health beliefs on diabetes management among the Igala, Nigeria. Data werecollected using a structured questionnaire administered to 152 respondents living withdiabetes. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Almost half of the respondents had lowdiabetes knowledge. Significant relationship existed between level of diabetes knowledgeand diabetes management (1, N = 152) = 8.456, p = .004. There was a significant positiverelationship between perceived severity (0.549, p = .000), perceived benefits (12.383, p= .000), and diabetes management. The regression result showed that diabetes knowledgeinfluenced diabetes management (β = .262, t = 3.328, p = .001) and health beliefsaffected diabetes management (β = .07865, t = 2.439, p < .016). Although diabetesknowledge and health belief are cognitive factors in diabetes management, they shouldnot be considered in isolation of other social factors