1.1 Introduction
Chronic disease management is defined as the continuous and coordinated healthcare approach used to prevent, control, and reduce the impact of long-term illnesses through effective treatment, monitoring, patient education, and lifestyle modification. Chronic diseases are conditions that persist for a long period and often require ongoing medical attention, including diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and chronic respiratory disorders (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Effective management of these conditions involves collaboration between healthcare providers and patients to improve health outcomes and maintain quality of life.
Nurses are among the major healthcare professionals involved in chronic disease management because they provide direct care, educate patients, monitor disease progress, and encourage adherence to treatment plans. Their knowledge and perception of chronic disease management influence how effectively they support patients in managing their conditions.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the aim and objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Chronic disease management refers to the organized and continuous healthcare process aimed at preventing complications, controlling disease progression, and improving the quality of life of individuals living with long-term health conditions. Chronic diseases include illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory disorders, which require long-term monitoring, treatment, and lifestyle adjustments. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), non-communicable diseases remain among the leading causes of death globally, creating a need for effective healthcare strategies that focus on prevention, early detection, and continuous management. The increasing burden of chronic diseases has placed greater responsibilities on healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, who provide essential services in patient education, disease monitoring, medication support, and health promotion.
Wagner et al. (2019) reported that nurses contribute significantly to chronic disease care by helping patients develop self-management skills, encouraging adherence to treatment plans, and providing emotional support. Similarly, Bodenheimer and Handley (2020) asserted that patient involvement and continuous support from healthcare providers are important factors in managing chronic conditions successfully. Nurses, being among the healthcare workers who maintain regular contact with patients, are strategically positioned to influence patients' understanding and ability to manage their illnesses effectively (Bodenheimer and Handley (2020).
The knowledge and perception of nurses regarding chronic disease management determine the quality of care they provide to affected individuals. According to Kousoulis et al. (2020), healthcare professionals with adequate knowledge of chronic disease management are more likely to provide effective interventions, promote preventive behaviours, and improve patient outcomes. In the same vein, Lorig et al. (2018) stated that healthcare providers' understanding of disease management principles influences their ability to guide patients toward healthier behaviours and better control of chronic conditions.
Chronic diseases have become a significant public health concern because of their impact on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. According to GBD (2022), the increasing prevalence of chronic illnesses has contributed to higher healthcare costs, increased hospital admissions, and reduced quality of life among affected populations. Supporting this position, Afaya et al. (2021) reported that nurses face challenges in chronic disease management due to factors such as inadequate training, limited resources, and increased workload.
Assessing nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management provides valuable information for identifying existing gaps in clinical practice and improving healthcare services. According to Akinyemi et al. (2021), evaluating healthcare workers' knowledge helps institutions develop targeted training programmes that address weaknesses in disease prevention and management. Corroborating this assertion, Osei et al. (2022) reported that understanding nurses' experiences and perceptions is essential for designing effective healthcare policies and improving patient care delivery. Such assessment is particularly important in environments where chronic diseases are increasing and healthcare demands continue to expand.
This study is set against the backdrop of the growing burden of chronic diseases and the need to assess nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management to improve healthcare delivery and patient wellbeing.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases are becoming major health challenges worldwide, requiring effective long-term management and continuous patient care. Nurses play an important role in chronic disease management because they provide health education, monitor patients' conditions, support treatment adherence, and promote healthy lifestyle practices. However, some nurses experience difficulties in applying adequate knowledge and skills needed for effective chronic disease management due to limited training opportunities and inadequate exposure to current disease management practices (World Health Organization, 2023).
Furthermore, assessing nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management is important to identify existing gaps and areas requiring improvement. Additionally, understanding nurses' views about chronic disease care provides useful information for developing training programmes and improving healthcare services. On the other hand, failure to address gaps in nurses' knowledge and perception may continue to affect the prevention of complications and the overall management of chronic diseases. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to assess nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to assess nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management. The specific objectives of the study are to:
- Assess the level of knowledge nurses possess regarding chronic disease management.
- Examine nurses' perceptions toward the management of chronic diseases.
- Identify factors affecting nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management.
- Determine the challenges nurses experience while providing care for patients with chronic diseases.
- Evaluate the relationship between nurses' knowledge and their practices in chronic disease management.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The following research questions guide the study:
- What is the level of knowledge nurses possess regarding chronic disease management?
- What are nurses' perceptions toward the management of chronic diseases?
- What factors affect nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management?
- What challenges do nurses experience while providing care for patients with chronic diseases?
- What relationship exists between nurses' knowledge and their practices in chronic disease management?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between nurses' knowledge and their practices in chronic disease management.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between nurses' knowledge and their practices in chronic disease management.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Nurses' perception does not significantly influence effective chronic disease management.
- H1: Nurses' perception significantly influences effective chronic disease management.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will provide information about nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management. The study will also help healthcare facilities identify areas where nurses require additional education and professional support.
Furthermore, the research will assist nursing administrators in improving training programmes related to chronic disease care. It will also support better preparation of nurses in managing patients with long-term health conditions.
Lastly, the study will serve as a reference material for future studies related to nursing knowledge, perception, and chronic disease management.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study focuses on assessing nurses' knowledge and perception of chronic disease management in selected healthcare facilities in Lagos State, Nigeria.
The study covers nurses' understanding of chronic diseases, their attitudes toward disease management, factors affecting their knowledge, and challenges experienced during patient care. The study population consists of registered nurses working in selected hospitals within Lagos State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Knowledge:
Knowledge refers to the understanding, awareness, and information possessed by nurses regarding chronic diseases, their causes, prevention, treatment, and management approaches.
Perception:
Perception refers to the way individuals interpret, understand, and form opinions about a particular issue.
Chronic Disease:
Chronic disease refers to a health condition that lasts for a long period and requires continuous medical attention and lifestyle management.
Chronic Disease Management:
Chronic disease management refers to the organized approach of providing continuous care, monitoring, treatment support, and education to individuals living with long-term illnesses.
Nurses:
Nurses are healthcare professionals trained to provide patient care, health education, treatment support, and disease prevention services.
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