HOW MUCH DO DIABETIC PATIENTS KNOW ABOUT DIABETES MELLITUS?

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate. It is a chronic metabolic disorder and puts considerable burden on the healthcare services. Adequate knowledge about their illness is important in controlling their disease and preventing complications. The aim of the present study is to assess the knowledge of diabetes among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: This cross sectional survey was conducted among 140 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending the diabetic clinic of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus between the age group of 25-75 were included in the study were collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. The knowledge of patients was assessed using Michigan Diabetic Knowledge Test along with the interview schedule for socio demographic and clinical data. The data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. Result: The mean age of the participants was 56±11.6, 50 % were females. 57.1% of study participants had family history of diabetes mellitus. Overall 58.6% of study participants had poor knowledge on the total DKT, while 53.6% did so on the general knowledge subscale and 67.9% on the insulin knowledge subscale. Females, older, people with less education, unemployed and with limited income had significantly lower knowledge. Conclusion: The level of diabetes knowledge among patients with type 2 diabetes was poor, especially among females, older people, those with low educational level and limited family income and unemployed patients. Diabetes educational programme need to be developed to address critical gaps in patient’s knowledge.