A survey on patients' characteristics, perception of family support and diabetes self‐management among type 2 diabetes patients in South‐West Nigeria

AIM: To determine the association between patients' characteristics, perception of family support and diabetes self‐management (DSM) behaviours among type 2 diabetes patients. DESIGN: A descriptive cross‐sectional design was used and data were collected between July–September 2016. The study is part of a larger quasi‐experimental study. METHODS: One hundred and ninety‐seven diabetes mellitus (DM) patients from two teaching hospitals in south‐west Nigeria participated. Questionnaire was used in collecting information on sociodemographic, clinical data, DSM and perception of family support. RESULTS: Most (71.6%) of the participants were females and 35% were on insulin therapy. Mean age was 60.7 (SD: 11.3) years and 11.7% had had DM for over 20 years. Overall, DSM was positively influenced by previous diabetes education and duration of diabetes. Perception of family support was also positively associated with and influenced DSM.