Exposure to Non-Expert Health Communication Messages and Diabetes Self-Management Among Patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State

KINGSLEY-OMADUDU; Ezechiyere IHEJIRIKA; Walter Chikwendu Ph.D.; ASADU; Clement Afamefuna Ph.D.

doi:10.56201/ijelcs.vol.10.no7.2025.pg89.101

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Exposure to Non-Expert Health Communication Messages and Diabetes Self-Management Among Patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State

KINGSLEY-OMADUDU, Ezechiyere IHEJIRIKA, Walter Chikwendu Ph.D. and, ASADU, Clement Afamefuna Ph.D.

Abstract

This study examined exposure to non-expert health communication messages and diabetes self- management among patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. Social representation theory was anchored in this study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design within a qualitative research framework to explore how exposure to non-expert health communication influences diabetes self-management among patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. The population comprised adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attending the endocrinology clinic of the hospital, estimated at approximately 200 registered patients based on hospital records from 2025. The study focused on a sample size of 15 participants, which was deemed sufficient for qualitative inquiry to achieve data saturation, where no new themes emerge during the interviews. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, targeting those who had been living with diabetes for at least one year and had exposure to both professional and non-expert health communication sources, ensuring they could provide rich, relevant information. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, guided by semi-structured questions that encouraged participants to describe their experiences with health information, their self-management behaviours, and perceptions of message credibility. The interviews were audio-recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital were frequently exposed to non-expert health communication messages from social media, family, friends, and online platforms. This exposure influenced their perceptions of diabetes management, often creating confusion or prompting them to adopt unverified practices. While some non-expert messages encouraged positive behaviours such as increased physical activity, the overall impact highlighted the powerfu

Keywords

ExposureNon-expert Health Communication MessagesDiabetes Self-managementPatientsUniversity of Nigeria Teaching HospitalEnugu State

References

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Exposure to Non-Expert Health Communication Messages and Diabetes Self-Management Among Patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu State

Abstract

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