Perception of insulin therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Background -The implementation of insulin in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus is often necessary for better glycaemic control. However, many still consider insulin therapy as the last resort. Several factors come to play in the acceptance of insulin as a form of therapy by patients. This study evaluated the perception of insulin therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods- This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) Jos, North Central Nigeria. One hundred and eighty five persons (100 insulin naïve persons and 85 persons on insulin) were recruited consecutively. The insulin treatment appraisal scale (ITAS) was used to evaluate the perception of insulin therapy among these patientsResults- fifty five (64.7%) females were on insulin while 64 (64%) were insulin naïve. The mean age was 52 ± 11 years and 59 ± 10 years in those on insulin and insulin naïve persons respectively. Twenty one (24.7%) persons on insulin and 33 (33%) insulin naïve persons had tertiary level of education. Insulin naïve persons had higher mean total score of the 20 items, total score of the 16 negative items and total score of the 4 positive items compared with persons on insulin. Among persons on insulin, those with less than one year of education had a better perception of insulin therapy compared with persons who had six years or more of education; Duration of insulin use, gender and age had no impact on perception of insulin therapy.Conclusion- The perception of insulin therapy among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus is poor.Key words-Insulin, insulin treatment appraisal scale, type 2 diabetes mellitus, perception of insulin therap