Assessment of the Knowledge of Type-II Diabetics About their Disease and the Impact of their Socio-demographic Characteristics on this Knowledge

Objective: Study was designed to assess the knowledge of type - II diabetics in Faisalabad district about their disease, its complications and their management, and to assess the impact of their socio-demographic characteristics on this knowledge - and - to enhance the knowledge regarding management of disease to improve the quality of life. Study Design: Study was conducted through cross - sectional approach, employing non-probability convenience sampling technique. To assess the knowledge, scoring system was developed. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Diabetic Clinic (OPD), Allied Hospital Faisalabad from 18th July to 15th August, 2009. As such, study area was essentially an urban entity. Subjects and Methods: All diabetics attending OPD of Allied Hospital were the subjects - and - a diabetic of age 40 years and above was sampling unit. Out of 175 willing diabetics selected and interviewed, 151 were finally included for analysis. A structured questionnaire in Urdu vernacular was designed, wherein socio-demographic characteristics of respondents & questions on their knowledge about diabetes, its complications and their management were included. Study sample was distributed according to age, sex, socioeconomic status (family's monthly income and educational level) and sources and extent of knowledge of respondents. Data was cleaned and entered on Epi-Info-6 for analysis. Chi-square test and, where required, Fisher's exact test was employed to assess the significance of results. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Majority of respondents were having quite good level of knowledge about diabetes mellitus, its complications and their management. Knowledge was found to increase with income. Though education rate also improves knowledge, but impact of education on knowledge was not found statistically significant. Relationship of knowledge with sex was also not significant in the instant study. Chunk of respondents got knowledge from health care providers. Conclusion: On its detection, diabetes must be adequately treated. Its proper pharmacological and non-pharmacological management is the key to prevent complications, hence to improve quality of life. Diabetics are under obligation to take their own care with medical guidance. For that matter, they require ample knowledge of disease, its complications and their management - and - for such knowledge proper diabetes education.