Assessment of Nurse-Led Health Education Programmes and Their Impact on Diabetes Self-Management in Enugu State

Background: Diabetes self-management education delivered by nurses has proven effective in improving glycaemic control and reducing complications. Evidence from Nigerian settings remains limited. Aim: This study assessed the impact of nurse-led health education programmes on diabetes self-management practices in Enugu State tertiary hospitals, South East Nigeria. Methods: A quasi-experimental design involved 90 type 2 diabetes patients allocated to an intervention group receiving structured nurse-led education over 12 weeks and a control group receiving routine care. Self-management was measured using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities scale at baseline and post-intervention. Data were analysed using paired and independent sample t-tests. Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in blood glucose self-monitoring, dietary adherence, physical activity, and foot care compared with controls (p < 0.01). Glycated haemoglobin values improved significantly in the intervention group. Conclusion: Nurse-led diabetes education is effective in improving self-management practices. Structured diabetes nurse education programmes should be institutionalised as a standard of outpatient diabetes care in Nigerian hospitals. Keywords: diabetes self-management, nurse education, health education, Enugu, glycaemic control.