A descriptive study of knowledge and attitude of diabetes mellitus and its management in rural population

Yashaswini L S

doi:10.18231/j.pjms.2021.037

Abstract

: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, requiring long term medications and frequent monitoring of blood sugars. Education is one of the key components in ensuring better treatment and control of diabetes. Good glycaemic control with frequent monitoring of blood glucose, healthy diet, and adequate physical activity can go a long way in prolonging longevity of patients with DM and also in preventing morbidity. This study was taken up to assess the knowledge and attitude of people in Rural India towards DM. This being a hospital based descriptive cross sectional study, 550 Diabetics were evaluated by detailed questionnaire.: The mean age observed was 49.6±8.6 years, 73% of patients were illiterates. Majority of patients were farmers who indulged in heavy work (55%). (11%) was aware about diabetic diet while only 5%actually followed it. Majority (86.2%) were adherent to medications, while only 15.3% were actually aware regarding consequences and complications of missing medications dosage. None of patients were having facilities for home monitoring of glucose and only 9% got their sugars checked regularly. Only, 62.5% of patients used footwear regularly. Only 21.6% patients were aware regarding importance of foot examination, while only 7.4% performed it regularly.75% did not come to hospital for regular glycemic monitoring as there was no one to accompany them. Spreading knowledge regarding diabetes and its management in the form strict adherence to prescribed medications, diabetic diet, and regular physical activity will motivate individuals with diabetes to visit hospitals regularly. This is an important step in preventing diabetes-related complications. Awareness methodology specific for rural populations needs to be adopted

Highlights

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major clinical and public health problem accounting for 4.6 million deaths annually worldwide. 1 80% of people with T2DM live in low and middle income Countries and almost half of them are undiagnosed
3 Many authors have reported that poor health literacy is one of the major social determinant in the progression of this disease. 4,5 There is evidence to show that increasing knowledge regarding diabetes and its complications has significant benefits including increase in compliance to treatment, thereby decreasing the complications associated with diabetes. 5,6 Good glycaemic control with frequent monitoring of blood glucose, healthy diet, and adequate physical activity can go a long way in prolonging longevity of patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and in preventing morbidity
110/550(20%) patients knew that food consumption at regular intervals had a role in controlling blood glucose. 418(76%) patients had food at irregular intervals

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major clinical and public health problem accounting for 4.6 million deaths annually worldwide. 1 80% of people with T2DM live in low and middle income Countries and almost half of them are undiagnosed. 2. DM is a chronic disease, requiring long term medications and frequent monitoring of blood sugars. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, requiring long term medications and frequent monitoring of blood sugars. Good glycaemic control with frequent monitoring of blood glucose, healthy diet, and adequate physical activity can go a long way in prolonging longevity of patients with DM and in preventing morbidity. Conclusions: Spreading knowledge regarding diabetes and its management in the form strict adherence to prescribed medications, diabetic diet, and regular physical activity will motivate individuals with diabetes to visit hospitals regularly. This is an important step in preventing diabetes-related complications. Awareness methodology specific for rural populations needs to be adopted

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion