Lakhasly

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, lifelong condition which requires that patients make daily decisions regarding the management.The influence of family members on diabetes management and glycaemic control (positive or negative) has been documented by some authors (Garcia-Huidobro, Bittner, Brahm, & Puschel, 2010; Mayberry & Osborn, 2012; Tang, Brown, Funnell, & Anderson, 2008).These decisions include appropriate dietary intake, physical activity and adherence to medications, oftentimes with minimal input from a healthcare professional (Jarvis, Skinner, Carey, & Davies, 2010).In many healthcare facilities in Nigeria, individuals with diabetes are provided with diabetes self-management education (DSME) by nurses at the point of diagnosis and during follow-up visits.Evidence supporting the important role of the family in DSM in south-west Nigeria is limited, and data on the extent to which patients' personal factor affects self-management are also scarce.Individuals with DM like others live with and interact with their family members.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, lifelong condition which requires that patients make daily decisions regarding the management. These decisions include appropriate dietary intake, physical activity and adherence to medications, oftentimes with minimal input from a healthcare professional (Jarvis, Skinner, Carey, & Davies, 2010). The disease is on the increase in Nigeria and complications are widely reported (Chinenye et al., 2012). Several factors including patients' personal characteristics and social environment are linked with diabetes self-management (DSM) among people living with diabetes (PLWD).

Individuals with DM like others live with and interact with their family members. This interaction can have an impact on the way the disease is managed (Adejoh, 2012). In many healthcare facilities in Nigeria, individuals with diabetes are provided with diabetes self-management education (DSME) by nurses at the point of diagnosis and during follow-up visits. This education is often structured so that all the important aspects of the condition are well explained to the patient. The influence of family members on diabetes management and glycaemic control (positive or negative) has been documented by some authors (García-Huidobro, Bittner, Brahm, & Puschel, 2010; Mayberry & Osborn, 2012; Tang, Brown, Funnell, & Anderson, 2008). Yet, family members often play passive role during patient education, if at all they attend the clinic with the patient.

Evidence supporting the important role of the family in DSM in south-west Nigeria is limited, and data on the extent to which patients' personal factor affects self-management are also scarce. Examining these aspects of diabetes care could help to better focus diabetes management towards increasing adherence and reducing complications of the disease. Specifically, it could be a spur for nurses and other relevant stakeholders in the hospital to provide a more structured education for the family members of individuals with diabetes.