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Abstract

Abstract


Objective: (1) To assess baseline disease related knowledge in patients with type 2 diabetes about their disease, its risk factors, signs/symptoms, related complications and suitabte diet and (2) Is there an association between gender, duration of disease & age at diagnosis of diabetes and the above dependent variables .
Methods: A 20-item interview-based structured knowledge questionnaire was used to collect information. A total of 82, diabetic patients, mean age 55.2 (11.4 S.D.) years, ranging from 35-80 years, were interviewed.
Results: Statistically significant association was found between age at diagnosis aJ1d better understanding of risk factors, (OR = 1.20, P=0.012 with 95% CI 0.85- 0.98). Statistically significant association was found between gender and better understanding of word "diabetes" or "sugar" OR= 1.15, P=0.051 with 95% Confidence interval 0.96-1.29). Statistically significant associations were found between gender and patients\' better understanding of disease signs/symptoms (OR = 1.35, P=0.005 with 95% CI 0.40-0.56). No significant associations were found between gender, duration of diabetes, age at diagnosis and patients\' better understanding of disease related .
Conclusion: Priority needs to be given by WHO education programmes for the development of diabetes education program in rural areas to give patients a better knowledge of their disease, to prevent premature morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes