Glucometer ownership and plasma glucose monitoring practices among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus on oral antihyperglycaemic therapy in Gulu, Uganda

Effective plasma glucose monitoring is crucial for persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to mitigate long-term complications linked to inadequate glycemic control. This study investigated glucometer ownership and monitoring practices among persons with T2DM in a resource-limited setting in northern Uganda. A feasibility cross-sectional study was conducted, sequentially enrolling T2DM patients on oral antihyperglycemic agents who received routine care at the diabetes clinic of Gulu Regional Referral Hospital from June to August 2023. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, glucometer ownership, glucose monitoring, T2DM treatment, and complications were collected using an interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire. Among 190 eligible participants, with a mean age of 55 ± 12.72 years, 121 (63.7%) were female, 133 (70.0%, n = 133) had primary education, and 160 (84.2%) were unemployed. The median T2DM duration was 4 (IQR: 2-8) years. Treatment included a combination of glibenclamide and metformin for 132 (70.6%) participants. Only 17 (9.0%) owned a glucometer, and 173 (92%) solely measured blood sugars at clinic reviews. Additionally, 173 (91.1%) self-reported at least one DM complication, notably hypertension (n = 121, 63.7%). Tertiary education was independently associated with good glucose monitoring practices (adjusted prevalence ratio: 4.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-16.67; P = .025). In the diabetes clinic at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, merely 1 in 10 T2DM patients owned a glucometer. The predominant reliance on clinic-based measurements and the high prevalence of self-reported complications, especially hypertension, underscore the need for targeted interventions to encourage regular home monitoring and enhance overall glycemic control. The observed association between tertiary education and improved glucose monitoring practices suggests that educational initiatives could be pivotal in fostering positive health outcomes in this population.