Awareness on Diabetes Complications and Protective Measures in Makkah Region among Known Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective To explore diabetic patients awareness on its complications and possible protective measures in the Makkah region. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional facility-based survey, conducted between August 2015 and January 2016. We targeted diabetic patients who were followed in seven PHC centres in Makkah Region. Results We included (450) participants in the study. Males constituted (55.3 %), and around two thirds of the group (64 %) were above the age of 30. Half of the participants (51.6 %) defined diabetes as a genetic disease related to food and lifestyle. While obesity was the commonest risk factor identified by patients (62.4 %), polyuria was the most reported symptom (78 %). (67.1 %) identified diet control as the most important treatment modality, and the top three protective measures widely known were, physical exercise, regular blood monitoring and drug compliance. The first two were the mostly applied on a daily basis, for (40 %) and (54 %) of the participants respectively. Participants enlisted different sources of information on diabetes including family members, hospitals and PHC centres, Internet and television, medical campaigns and health promotion text messages. Conclusions Patients demonstrated a good level of awareness on diabetes, however more education must be devoted to complications and adoption of protective measures.