IJCRR

IJCRR - 5(22), November, 2013

Pages: 100-104

Date of Publication: 04-Dec-2013

KNOWLEDGE AND ITS COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES AMONGST THE KNOWN DIABETIC PATIENTS - A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY

Author: Vijaya Sorganvi, S. S. Devarmani, M. M. Angadi, Rekha Udgiri

Category: Healthcare

Abstract:Introduction: At present India is considered as the diabetic capital of the world. There are approximately 3.5 crore diabetics in India. This is expected to increase up to 5.2 crore by 2025. Keeping in view the alarming increase in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in India, the W.H.O. has declared India as the \"Diabetic capital\" of the world. Increasing patient knowledge regarding disease and its complications has significant benefits with regard to patient compliance to treatment and to decreasing complications associated with disease. Objective: To asses the level of knowledge regarding diabetes. Study design It is a cross sectional study. Results: The major finding of the study is lack of awareness of diabetes and its complications. Recommendations: An Awareness and Education programme is required to empower diabetic patients and also to increase their quality of life.

Keywords: Diabetes, complication, knowledge, awareness.

Full Text:

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of diabetes is rising throughout the world.  The figures estimated in 1995 were 135 million escalating to 151 million in 2001⁽¹⁾. It is anticipated to be 300 million by 2025 all over the globe ⁽²⁾   of which more than 75% will be in the developing countries ⁽³⁾.  

There are approximated 3.5 crore diabetics in India which is expected to increase up to 5.2 crore by 2025.  Keeping in view the alarming increase in the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in India, the W.H.O. has declared India as the “Diabetic capital” of the world ^(4). 

Adequate knowledge of diabetes is a key component of diabetic care.  Many studies have shown that increasing patient knowledge regarding disease and its complications has significant benefits with regard to patient compliance to treatment and to decreasing complications associated  with disease^(5).   In this study, we tried to evaluate the level of knowledge of diabetes and its complications among the population of diabetes visiting the diabetic clinic in BLDE University’s Sri. B. M. Patil Medical College Hospital and   Research Centre.

MATERIALS andMETHODS

We conducted a cross sectional study using pretested questionnaire by interview technique.     249 subjects were collected; and  the subjects were diabetic patients attending diabetic clinic in BLDEU’S teaching Hospital. The questionnaire consists of questions that tested the patients knowledge of diabetes and its complications. It was a time bond study, conducted in the month of October to December 2009.

Limitation of the Study

1. Consecutive cases of Type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 18 years were selected for this study from the out patients attending to our Hospital.
2. New cases of diabetes were included.

Statistical  methods

Data were analyzed using SPSS 15^th version.  Knowledge score were calculated for correct answers given by the patients.  Mann Whitney ‘U’ test was used to find the significant differences and linear regression was applied to find the influence of independent variables on knowledge score.

RESULTS

In this study out the 249 patients interviewed 159(64%) were males and 90(36%) were females, and 233(94%) had type II and 16(60%) had type I diabetes.   Total knowledge scores for each patient were calculated for correct answers.  The maximum score attained was 35 (out of 40 maximum score). It was surprising that both male and female scored 35 and  when  compared the median scores of male and female it was statistically not significant (P=0.468). 79(32%) patients did not know the risk factors involved in developing the disease. Multiple linear regression analysis was done, using the scores obtained as the dependent variable and level of education, duration of diabetes, type of diabetes and residence of patients as independent variables.  The analysis showed that significant association with educational status and duration of diabetes (P=0.000) and no association was found with type of diabetes and residence of the patients (P= 0.05). (Table 1)

Out of 249 Diabetic patients only 48(19%) were aware that diabetes could be prevented.  51(20%) knew their level of fasting blood sugar and 61(24%) about post prandial blood sugar and only 47(19%) had idea about their Hb level.  Out of total study subjects 134(54%) did not know that the kidney function tests should be performed in diabetes.  Only 92% (37%) patients had the knowledge that measures can be taken for preventing complications in diabetes,  92(37%) patients knew about symptoms of hypoglycemia and 76 (37%) patients opened that sweet should be consumed when they become hypoglycemic. 113( 45%) patients knew that treatment should be continued throughout the life. (Table 2)

Here 128 (27%) patients had awareness that family history of diabetes was one of the cause and 140(30%) opined that obesity was also risk factor for diabetes. 76 (22%) Patients said that diabetes could affect eyes, 46 (13%) said kidney, 78 (22%) said foot and other complications like heart attacks 103(30%) and lung 45(13%).  92(37%) Patients had the knowledge that if preventive measures are available for preventing complications in diabetes. (Table 3 and 4).

DISCUSSION

The major finding in the study was the lack of awareness of diabetes among the diabetic patients.  In this study the knowledge score by men and women were equal but finding was dissimilar to that reported by Michele Gulabani et. al ^(6).  According  to  Michele  Gulabani  et  al    the mean  score  in men was 2.84 points  higher  than  that in women  and  the  difference was  found statistically  significant  (P=0.016).   Vishwanathan et al ⁽⁷⁾  study  revealed  that  low score was in women (78.5%)  than  in  men  (62.5%)  and  it  was  found statistically  significant.

Only 14% patients knew what preventive measures should be taken to prevent the disease and 140(56%) were aware of the cause of diabetes.  45% patients correctly said that treatment should be continued throughout the life.  Overall 13% of them gave correct answer about common cause of death among diabetics.  This indicates a significant lack of knowledge of preventive aspects of diabetes in population.  The most common cause of death among diabetes is cardio vascular disease ⁽⁸⁾ but in our study 18% of patients opined that Diabetes affects lungs and kidney.

So most of the patients may not be able to take appropriate preventive measures and may seek medical aid only at very late stages. This is worrying in the context of the fact that India currently leads the World with over 32 million diabetic subjects and these numbers are expected to increase to 79 million by the year 2030.

CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION

This study confirms that patient’s knowledge about Diabetes and its complications is limited.  This underscores the urgent need to improve the knowledge and awareness about diabetes particularly in developing countries like India.           

Thus it is recommended that awareness and Education programs are required to empower diabetic patients and also to increase their quality of life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Authors acknowledge Mrs Laxmi V. Nitsure,  who   had   encouraged  and  helped  during the entire study.

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