Influence of Diabetes Prevention Education Program and Geographic Location on T2DM Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Retirees in Enugu

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) presents a significant public health challenge globally, and Nigeria is not an exception, with an increasing prevalence particularly among retirees who may face lifestyle changes and increased susceptibility to chronic conditions. This paper investigates the influence of diabetes prevention education programs and geographic location on T2DM among retirees in Enugu State. The study utilizes the quasi experimental research design. Specifically, the pre-test – post-test non randomized control group design was adopted. Three specific objectives with corresponding research questions and null hypotheses guided the study. The population for the study comprised 10,779 of all the registered retirees in Enugu State Public service. A total of 78 retirees constituted the sample for the study. The instrument for data collection was the researcher designed- structured questionnaire titled: Influence of Diabetes Prevention Education Program and Geographic Location on T2DM Knowledge, Attitude and Preventive Practice Questionnaire (DPEPLDKAPQ)” The reliability indices of r= 0.63, and r= 0.75 were obtained. The split half method with Spearman- Brown Correction formula was used to measure knowledge and preventive practice.  Cronbach’s alpha statistical tool was used to determine the reliability coefficient that measured attitude. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The findings showed   that the mean T2DM knowledge scores of urban retirees exposed were higher, while the mean T2DM attitude and practice scores of rural retirees exposed were higher. In addition, there was no significance influence of location and diabetes prevention education programe in the mean T2DM KAP scores of retirees in Enugu state(= 6.49;SD=3.07) and rural (=5.40;SD 2.75); t (76) = 1.522, p= 0.132),(urban, .1.88, SD= 0.53; rural,  = 2.05,SD= 0.54; t (78) = - 1.301,  p= 0.197) and (urban =; SD = 1.66, rural,  = 3.61, SD =1.27; t = 2.138, p=0.055). This implies that diabetes prevention education program and location was not effective in improving T2DM KAP scores of retirees. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there is a need for more public health educational interventions and essential health care services to be taken to the rural and urban population to improve knowledge, attitude and practice of T2DM (KAP).