Proportion and predictors of SMBG use among type 2 diabetic subjects in three tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka City

AIMS: The aim was to find out the proportion of Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) Users and factors affecting the nonuse in three large hospitals of Dhaka city. METHODS: Under an observational cross-sectional design 598 type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited (convenient sampling) from the OPDs of 3 large tertiary care hospitals [one public hospital (PUBH), one Not-for-profit Hospital (NFPPH), and one For-profit private hospital (FPPH)] in Dhaka City. Data were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis as appropriate. RESULTS: Overall 71% of subjects were SMBG Nonusers (PUBH 86%, NFPPH 67%, and FPPH 46%). Monthly income status and advice showed the highest impact (OR 4.66 and 3.74 respectively) on the use. Physicians (54%), relatives (34%), and friends (8.2%) were the major sources of advice. Irregular diabetes check-up and distrust of results were also among the major reasons for not using SMBG among the Nonusers. CONCLUSION: Nearly three-fourth of type 2 diabetic patients in Dhaka city do not use SMBG and the proportion is especially high in public hospitals. Poor income status of patients, lack of coordinated advice/motivation by Caregivers, irregularity in diabetes checking, and distrust on results are major predictors for not using SMBG by the patients.