Emotional Distress and Self Efficacy among Diabetic Patients in Secondary Health Facilities in Delta State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The management of diabetes goes beyond biomedical care as patients’ ability to adhere to treatment and maintain quality of life is greatly influenced by their level of emotional distress and self-efficacy. Aim: This study investigated the emotional distress and self-efficacy among patients in selected secondary healthcare facilities in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, involving 138 diabetic patients recruited through convenience sampling from three secondary health care facilities in Ndokwa/Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. Participants were individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who provided informed consent. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, which measured sociodemographic factors, emotional distress, and perceived self-efficacy. Statistical analyses, conducted with SPSS version 22.0. Results: The bulk of participants (61.0%) were between the ages of 51 and 70 (M = 59.14, SD = 11.01). Women constituted the majority of participants (68.8%), and farming was the most common occupation (34.1%). 71.7% of respondents reported low emotional distress. Self-efficacy was low among majority of the respondents (70.3%). Chi-square tests indicated no significant associations with gender (p = 0.075) or occupation (p = 0.059). One-way ANOVA revealed that emotional distress significantly influenced self-efficacy (p < 0.000). Post-hoc tests showed that patients with low distress reported significantly higher self-efficacy than those with moderate (p = 0.003) and severe distress (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Addressing emotional distress and enhancing patient confidence may improve self-management, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life for individuals with diabetes.