Non Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Illubabor Zone, South West Ethiopia

Research Article

Austin Diabetes Res. 2020; 5(1): 1023.

Non Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Illubabor Zone, South West Ethiopia

Rukiya Debalke¹*, Beakal Zinab¹ and Tefera Belachew²

¹Department of Public Health, Mettu University, Ethiopia

²Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Jimma University, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Rukiya Debalke, Department of Public Health, Mettu University, Ethiopia

Received: August 26, 2020; Accepted: October 26, 2020; Published: November 02, 2020

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of rapidly increasing non communicable disease oblige a continuous medical care, mainly life time patient’s adherence to life style modification recommendations. Poor adherence to lifestyle recommendations leads to poor glycemic control and associated micro and macro-vascular complications; however most patients have difficulty in adhering to the lifestyle modifications including physical activity recommendations. There is no study that documented adherence of diabetic patients to physical activity recommendations among diabetic patients in Ethiopian setup.

This study assessed the magnitude of non-adherence to physical activity recommendation and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients attending follow up at government hospitals in Ilu Abba Bora Zone, south western Ethiopia.

Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 19 to May 19, 2018 among 422 diabetic patients attending regular follow up at government health facilities in Illuababor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia, participants were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were collected using pretested interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire. Physical activity adherence was assed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diabetic patient’s non adherence to physical activity recommendations. Odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval and p value <0.05 significance level was used to declare significant association.

Results: The current study found that 38% of diabetic patients were non adherent to physical activity recommendations. The odds non adherence to physical activity recommendations was independently associated with patientssex [AOR=2 ( 95% CI :1.2, 3.4)], perceived severity of the illness [AOR=1.7 (95% CI:1.1, 2.8)], self-efficacy [AOR=2.6 (95% CI:1.6,4.4)] and abdominal circumference [AOR=2.5 (95% CI:1.3,4.8 )].

Conclusion and Recommendations: High proportions of diabetic patients were non adherent to physical activity recommendations. Evidence based and Patient centred management plan should also be practiced. The results imply that integrating life style modification education focussing on physical activity recommendations should be integrated to diabetic care to prevent its complications.

Keywords: Diabetics; Non Adherence; Physical Activity recommendation

Introduction

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia result-ing from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetes Mellitus is rapidly emerging as a major public health concern across the globe associated with increasing of aged populations, economic development, increasing urbanization, consumption of less healthy diets and reduced physical activity. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), about one out of every 11 adults worldwide has diabetes. In Africa 14.2 million adults have diabetes and by 2040, 43.2 million adults expected to have diabetes. Ethiopia is also one of the countries affected by diabetes. According to the 2015 report of IDF, the number of adults aged 20-79 years, living with diabetes was 2.135 million (4.8%), A study done in south west Ethiopia found diabetes among 6% and 2.9 % of populations in urban and rural areas, respectively [1].

Diabetes is associated with risk of both microvascular and macrovascular complications. Diabetic complications account for increased morbidity, disability, and mortality and exert stress in the economies of all countries, especially the developing ones [2-5].

Management of diabetes is a challenging as it requires multiple therapeutic approaches including Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose (SMBG), dietary and lifestyle modifications and administration of medications as per schedule. Regimen adherence problems are common in individuals with diabetes, thus making glycaemic control difficult to attain. The management plan should also be formulated as an individualized therapeutic alliance among the patient, family, physician and other members of the health care team [6]. Regular exercise has been shown to improve blood glucose control, reduce cardiovascular risk factors, contribute to weight loss, and improve well-being [7-9].

There is variation in the magnitude and determinants of nonadherence to physical activity recommendations across the globe. According to studies done in India, more than half of respondents were non adherent to physical activity recommendations and physical activity adherence was significantly affected by family history of diabetes, respondents socioeconomic status, patients family size, busy schedule, education level, beliefs, health condition, poor memory, level of motivation, level of social and family support, frequent social gatherings, trust in health-care provider and marital status of participants [10-12]. Studies done in different part of Ethiopia also reported varied magnitude adherence to physical activity ranging from 18.4-68.8% [13]. A wide-ranging factors associated with nonadherence to physical activity recommendation including level of education, monthly income, absence of clear instruction and busy schedule were identified [13-14].

Although various predictors of non-adherence to physical activity recommendations were identified, these factors are not typically even for all patients and vary across different populations. Thus, understanding the determinants of non-adherence to physical activity recommendations in local setting is crucial to implement patient centred intervention approach. Therefore, this study aims to assess the magnitude of non-adherence to physical activity recommendation and its associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients in Illubabor zone.

Method

Strudy Setting and Participants: The study was conducted in Ilu Abba Bora Zone, South west Ethiopia, there are 2 public hospitals in the zone providing regular follow up care for diabetic patients. These facilities provide service to all of the weekdays and patients collect their medication regularly on a monthly basis. Diabetic clinics provide services for an average of 20-22 patients per day. All adult type 2 diabetes patients who were on regular follow up at MKRH and Darimu Hospital NCD follow up clinic were the source populations while randomly selected adult type 2 diabetic patients who are on regular follow up at MKRH and Darimu Hospital NCD follow up units were study populations. In the current study, patients who were unable to provide required information and newly diagnosed patients (who had less than at least three follow up visits) were excluded from the study.

Sample size was separately calculated for the outcome (physical activity non-adherence) and for each explanatory variable using different parameters taken from previously published researches and finally the largest sample size was taken to ensure a better representativeness. The final sample size was estimated with the following assumptions, expected proportion of for poor physical activity practice among diabetic patients to be 64% from study done in Jimma University Specialized Hospital [15], with desired degree of precision 5%, 95% confidence level and 10% non-response rate, then the final sample size become 389. However, we were able to recruit more participants within the scheduled study period; as a result 422 participants were included for the current study. The final sample (422) was proportionally allocated to each hospital based on number of diabetic patients on regular follow up. Accordingly 338 and 187 participants were included from Metu and Darimu Hospitals respectively. Finally, study participants were selected using systematic sampling technique.

Data Collection And Measurement: Interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic, patients health profiles including: duration of disease, type of treatment, comorbidity and family history. Diabetic health belief was assessed using a total of 26 questions. Patients’ perceived susceptibility to diabetes complications and perceived severity was assessed using five questions each, perceived benefit and barrier to physical activity regimen was assessed using four and eight questions, respectively. Likewise self-efficacy towards following physical activity recommendation was assessed using four questions. The other section of the tool assessed emotional and active (instrumental support from family and non-family members) support which was modified from “The Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire-Family Version: developed in 2002” [16]. Physical activity adherence was assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), The Global Physical Activity questionnaire was developed by WHO for physical activity surveillance in different countries [17]. Waist Circumference (WC) was measured midway between the inferior angle of the ribs at the midclavicular line and the suprailiac crest at the end of normal expiration to the nearest 1cm using a non-stretchable rubber measuring tape. Participants were positioned in an upright, with arms relaxed at the side, feet evenly spread apart and body weight evenly distributed in accordance with the WHO recommendation [18].

Data Processing and Analysis: Data were coded and entered to Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS windows version 20 for cleaning and analyses. Exploratory data analyses and descriptive statistics including proportion, percentage, ratios, frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation were used to describe the data. Wealth index was constructed using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) form 27 items after checking all assumptions. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was done to see the association between individual explanatory and outcome variables, variables with P-value <0.25 were a candidate for multivariable logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio with 95% C.I was used to measure the strength of association between dependent and independent variables. P value <0.05 was used to declare level of statistical significance. The scores of each diabetic health belief were constructed by summing up the responses to generate a single score for each construct, Participants were labelled to have high or low level of each constructs using mean value as a cut-off, patients social support status was also labelled based on mean value. The outcome variables were dichotomized based on amount of 600 METs per week as a cut-off.

Operational and Standard Definitions:

Physical activity: Refers to bodily movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure in excess of resting energy expenditure [19].

Adherence: The extent to which a person’s behaviour taking medication, following a diet and physical activity, and/or executing lifestyle changes corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider [20].

Non Adherent to Physical Activity Recommendation: are those who scored less than 600 METs per week based on the GPAQ incorporated scoring mechanism [21].

Adherent to Physical activity Recommendation: are those who scored greater than or equal to 600 METs per week based on the GPAQ incorporated scoring mechanism [21].

Abdominal Obesity: Participants with waist circumference >102 cm for men and >88 cm for women [22].

Ethical Consideration: Ethical approval was obtained from the Research and Ethical Committee of Jimma University, Permission letter was written for both Mettu Karl Referral and Darimu Hospital additionally informed consent was obtained from study participants after necessary explanation about the purpose of the study and the respondents’ right to refuse or withdraw at any stage was fully realized. All the interviews with respondents were made under strict privacy.

Results

A total of 392 respondents participated in the study of which females account for 51.3%. The mean age of respondents were 47 (SD±13). Nearly two third (63.8%) of respondents were married, 37.2% of them can’t read and write while 43.1% of respondents were government employers. Similarly, more than half (58.2%) of respondents were Oromo by ethnicity and one third of the participants were in the lowest wealth tertiles (Table 1).