COMMUNICATION INTERVENTIONS FOR PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MILLETUS AMONG VULNERABLE-AGE IN ABAKALIKI, EBONYI STATE
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, representing an important cause of mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the communication interventions for public knowledge, prevention/management of diabetes mellitus among older adults in the urban areas of Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The study was anchored on Health Belief Model. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Findings showed that Diabetic patients in the urban areas of Ebonyi State do not adopt preventive measures against Diabetes as communicated to them by physicians; the strategies of preventing diabetes communicated to patients on admission and out patients have positive correlation with preventing the diseases; the older adults with Diabetes in Ebonyi State are not adequately communicated on the strategies to adopt to prevent the disease. The study recommended that patients with Diabetes should endevour to adopt the preventive measures they are communicated in order to reduce/prevent the risks of the disease; physicians and healthcare givers should explore strategies that are technology based to improve physician-patient communications. There is a need for more health communicators for the wellbeing of the diabetic patients, not only in urban areas but also in rural areas.