Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Community Health Education Network Policy on Diabetes Mellitus Self- Management and Health Outcomes in Bunjumbu

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of diabetics’ self-management in reducing the prevalence and severity of diabetes mellitus in Bujumbura District, Burundi. Diabetes mellitus was a non-communicable disease and it was in increase globally. Millions of people were affected by this chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose or blood sugar. This study adopted a mixed research design method to collect data in order to have in-depth information and a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the community health education network policy and diabetes mellitus self-management after their implementation. The population included diabetic patients (type 1 and 2) admitted in -the four hospitals in 2018 and 2019. The sample consisted of 185 participants. The study found that diabetes was a chronic medical issue with obliterating, yet with preventable problems. Diabetes mellitus was a grouping of diseases with the symptom of high blood glucose that resulted from imperfections in insulin activity, insulin creation, or both. Patients were able to test themselves at home with a glycaemia test. Long-term complications incorporated coronary illness and stroke, visual deficiency, nephropathy, neuropathy, and fringe vascular illness resulting in lower limb amputation. Self-management and control of the disease were within individual’s capacity. It was found that daily decisions involved what to eat, levels of physical activity, how stress will or will not be managed, and if or when to perform self-monitoring of blood glucose. It was concluded that treatment of diabetes included changes in lifestyle, most of which patients with diabetes provided for themselves on a daily basis. In this manner, self-management of diabetes was firmly associated with oneself considerations, which was identified with the act of exercises that people started and performed for their own benefit in maintaining life, health, and well-being. The study recommended people to lead active lifestyle that included good diets and regular physical exercises. It was also recommended that the government was to ensure public awareness of diabetes mellitus. More information on the causes and effects of the diseases were to be provided to the people. It was also recommended that the government was to work with partner organisations in health to provide essential services to the people and diabetic patients.