Endocrinology & Metabolic Syndrome
Open Access

Abstract

Perception of Health Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Their Effects on the Disease Outcomes among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Ethiopia

Tewodros Gebremariam, Belay Zawudie, Tilahun Alemayehu and Zenebe Neger*

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in people with diabetes. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood glucose and other risk factors contribute to increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. Strategies to reduce the risk of CVD are counseling about lifestyle modification. Hence, counseling by physicians about lifestyle modification is less than optimal.

Objective: To determine the perception of health related cardiovascular risk factors among type two diabetes mellitus patients on follow up, in selected specialized Hospitals, Ethiopia.

Method: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among T2DM patients. Sample size was determined using single population proportion formula. Semi structured Questionnaire was used to assess the socio-demographic information and medical record review. Perception of the study participants were assessed by using the six-point Likert scale format. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were conducted. SPSS version 17 was used for statistical analysis.

Result: About 289 (69.6%) patients and 4 (33.3%) physicians reported that there were no discussions on cardiovascular disease between them. Furthermore, 180 (43.4%) of patients and 3(25.0%) of physicians reported that there were no discussions on behavior change at all. Participants’ perceived someday developing cardiovascular disease was negatively correlated with discussion of cardiovascular disease with physician [ r=-.272, n=415, p< .001]; behavior change with physician [ r=-.272, n=415, p< .001]; monitoring blood glucose with physician [ r=-.853, n=415, p< .001]; saturated fat with physician [ r=-.575, n=415, p< .001], cholesterol intake with physician [ r=-.741, n=415, p< .001]; and discussion of exercise with physician [ r=-.510, n=415, p< .001].

Conclusion: Most of T2DM patient were had less frequency of discussion with their physician on health related factors of cardiovascular disease such as heart disease, life style or behavior change, saturated fat, cholesterol intake, physical exercise and recommendations of exercise type, frequency and duration.

Published Date: 2020-09-22; Received Date: 2020-09-01