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Session: Exploring Key Contributors to Behavior Change (Poster Theater Flash Session 4)

(PTFS04-07-24) Perception of Older Adults With Diabetes on the Use of Mobile Application in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Southwestern Nigeria

Sunday, June 30, 2024
8:24 AM – 8:28 AM CT
Location:  Hall F1 (The Hub) - Poster Theater

    Presenting Author(s)

  • OL

    Oluwatosin O. Leshi, PhD

    Researcher
    University of Kentucky; University of Ibadan.
    Lexington, Kentucky, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • EU

    Elizabeth Unuofin

    University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Objectives: The advent of Mobile-health has brought innovation to disease prevention and management. This study, therefore, examined the perception of individuals with diabetes on the use of Mobile Health in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Nigeria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 individuals with T2DM receiving medical outpatient care at three hospitals in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the awareness, perception and perceived barriers of participants on the use Mobile Health in the management of T2DM. Consented participants were surveyed on during their scheduled visit to the hospitals. The data obtained were analyzed using the IBM/SPSS version 20.

Results: Most of the participants were female (73.8%), had at least high school education (69.8%) and were between 60-79 years (57.6%). Nearly all (98%) were placed on drug and diet. About 60% would love to receive medical and nutritional care through their mobile phone with strong inclination towards via text messaging (75.5%) and mobile applications (56.2%). Also, six out of 10 participants indicated their readiness to engage with dietitians through mobile application with enabled private chat capabilities, appointment booking, exchange of regular messages on self-management of diabetes, sharing of daily blood glucose values and images of serving portions. However, they identified illiteracy, poverty, poor electricity supply and limited internet access as barriers to the use of mobile health.

Conclusions: Older adults with T2DM show readiness to receive nutritional support from their dietitians through mobile phones, with preference to mobile applications that favor text messaging, opportunity for private chat and sharing of food-related images. Use of mobile phone is remains relevant and has a potential to support patients with T2DM in developing countries like Nigeria.

Funding Sources: The study was self-funded.