Evaluating the health education for clients with diabetes mellitus by nurses in a hospital in Swaziland

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the health education for clients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus by nurses working in the diabetes clinic of the specific hospital. The quantitative descriptive cross sectional design used two questionnaires to collect data from all 20 nurses working in the diabetes clinic and from a convenient sample of 132 clients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, making use of the health services at the diabetes clinic of the hospital. Data was analysed by a computer program, statistical package for social science (SPSS). Measures were taken to ensure acceptable ethical practice, validity and reliability of the study. Findings revealed the absence of official documents to guide the health education and other factors, such as not knowing the learning needs of the clients, not utilising teaching methods optimally. Recommendations address the development of standard procedures, lesson plans, recording of health education sessions and education skills development for the nurses.