Coping Strategies of Diabetic Yam Farming Households in Benue State, Nigeria

This study engaged the Multinomial Logistic Model (MLN) to determine factors influencing te choice of coping strategies of diabetic yam farming households in Benue State, Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select 340 yam farming households with emphasis on 2015 farming season. Primary data were obtained using a well structured and pretested questionnaire. The results of analysis shows that the most frequently used coping strategies were special diets such as millet, cocoyam, locust bean, groundnut, fruits and vegetables accounting for 39%, constant intake of drugs like metformin, biguarnide, sulphorylureas and insulin 25%, hired labour, 23.2%, routine exercise, 12.6%, while hawking was 0.3%. The choice of constant drug was -0.012, while the choice of hawking was significantly (p < 0.05) and negatively affected by education as a coping strategy. The marginal effect of education on constant drug was -0.012, while the choice of hawking was significantly (p < 0.05) and positively affected by the age as a coping strategy. The marginal effect of age on hawking was 0.04. It is recommended that government at Federal, State and Local levels with partners in progress should consider critical ways of managing diabetes by emphasizing healthy lifestyles such as ceasation of smoking, moderate alcohol intake, regular medical check-up and improvement of the socio-economic status of the diabetic farm households through good road network, steady supply of electricity which will better the quality of life of the farm households.