Glucose monitoring, support systems and motivating factors among newly diagnosed type2 diabetic clients: an explorative study in the Upper East Region, Ghana

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that over 463 million people are living with Diabetes mellitus which is likely to be doubled by the year 2045 meaning 55000 new cases daily. Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) accounts for over 90% of these cases. The situation is worse in Africa due to the poor diagnostic systems. In Ghana, the condition affects over 2.4 million people. The need for the current study is underscored by the emerging importance of data on patient’s experiences coupled with the gap in knowledge on the experiences of newly diagnosed T2D clients. The objective of this study is therefore to explore the experiences of newly diagnosed T2D clients on glucose monitoring, support system availability and motivating factors for them to continue to adhere to their glucose monitoring as a life style modification measure. Methods: A Qualitative explorative design was used targeting clients diagnosed with T2D within the last 6 months before data collection. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 15 participants. In-depth face to face interview was conducted individually using a semi structured questionnaire. Data was transcribed and analyzed using thematic approach. Results: The findings of the study indicates that T2D clients are faced with unique challenges in glucose monitoring as a lifestyle modification and as a result commit avoidable errors due to lack of knowledge such as; waiting to feel unwell before going for reviews and not disclosing their condition and its management including glucose monitoring to others. Cost was their number one challenge when it comes to glucose monitoring. Their main source of support was found to be from close relatives. Checking and getting improved results was motivating to them Recommendation and Conclusion: Challenges faced by T2D clients’ results in them committing errors that could have been avoided as new clients which points to lack of knowledge. An intensification of public education on the condition and the need for regular glucose monitoring and further studies on how these experiences of cost, access to care and lack of support affects clients are recommended.