Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on managing diabetes mellitus among Sudanese insulin pump users, A study from Sudan
Abstract Background: COVID-19 lockdown has affected diabetes management among the insulin pump users by changing their life style, affected their mental health, limited diabetes and insulin pump supplies and more difficult communication with the healthcare providersObjectives: The aim of this research is to study the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on managing diabetes mellitus among Sudanese insulin pump users, SudanMethods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study, Community based in Shimaa medical CO. LTD. A 26 insulin pump users were chosen by total coverage and the data was collected throughout phone call interviews. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 20.Results: The mean age of 22 participants was 25.3 ± 17.2 years, and the majority (63.6%) were females. The average duration of diabetes was 6.9 ± 3.9 years, and the average duration of insulin pump use was 3 ± 1 years. Of the 22 patients (90.9%) used glucometer for monitoring blood sugar. 9 (40.9%) were less subjective to depression, 9 (40.9%) had moderate susceptibility to have depression. Most of the patients have unchanged adherence to the insulin pump behaviours, carb counting (63.6%), boluswizard during mealtime (68.2%), and bolus wizard for hyperglycemia correction (68.2%), self-monitoring of blood glucose (40.9 %). (40.9%) of the patients had scheduled phone call appointments, 5 patients (22.7%) received virtual education (VE) from the insulin pump technician. 12 patients (54.5%) reported difficult obtaining at least one type of insulin pump supply.Conclusion: COVID-19 lock down has led to the decrease in physical activity with unchanged dietary habits. Getting the insulin pump supplies was difficult for most of the patient’s, and there was shortage and increase prices for diabetes care supplies. Telemedicine should be considered seriously to ease the communication between the patients and the health care providers.