Table 4

Uses of SMBG

Male

Female

Total

Action

N

%

N

%

N

%

Monitor my BG as I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes

100

36.9

95

37.4

195

37.1

Make adjustments to my food intake

140

51.7

146

57.5

286

54.5

When assessing the impact of physical activity

60

22.1

62

24.4

122

23.2

Confirm if I'm having a hypoglycaemic episode

50

18.5

72

28.4

122

23.2

Confirm if I'm having a hyperglycaemic episode

130

48.0

152

59.8

282

53.7

Alter my diabetes medication

22

8.1

9

3.5

31

5.9

Inform me about the effect of a new diabetes medication I've started

44

16.2

37

14.6

81

15.4

Inform me about my blood glucose levels during a period of illness

70

25.8

89

35.0

159

30.3

I don't use my blood glucose test results to do anything

13

4.8

10

3.9

23

4.4

Monitor my blood glucose levels as I am trying to conceive

N/A

N/A

3

1.2

3

0.6

Monitor my blood glucose levels as I'm pregnant

N/A

N/A

3

1.2

3

0.6

Determine whether it is safe to drive

23

8.5

17

6.7

40

7.6

Don't know

3

1.1

1

0.4

4

0.8

Total

658

-

696

-

1354

-

* Respondents were able to tick more than one answer; % figures are rounded

Barnard et al. BMC Research Notes 2010 3:318   doi:10.1186/1756-0500-3-318