A Study of Insulin Injection Practices in Al Ahsa’s Diabetic Population

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global health problem. Saudi Arabia is one of the leading ten countries worldwide with a high prevalence rate close to 24%. Improper insulin injection technique is a common phenomenon. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore how participants were performing insulin injections and the factors associated with those practices. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire-based survey was carried out at two locations in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. These locations included: (1) primary healthcare centers, (2) the Diabetic Center at King Fahd Hospital. The inclusion criteria included nonpregnant patients aged 18 years or older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes injecting insulin using an insulin pen or insulin syringes. Results: Four hundred and fourteen diabetic patients participated in the study. Age was subcategorized into three age groups, and the most prevalent age group was between 18 and 28 years 192 (46.4%). In terms of gender, 293 (70.8%) of patients were female. A total of 219 (52.9%) had a college education. As for diabetics, 250 (60.4%) had type 1 diabetes. In terms of how long they have used insulin injections as a diabetes treatment, 159 (38.5%) have used it for less than five years. In terms of how many injections they use per day, 139 (33.6%) reported that they use three injections or more. In regards to keeping insulin in the refrigerator, 39 (9.4%) answered never, while 89 (21.5%) answered sometimes. In regards to performing hand hygiene before injection, 64 (15.5%) answered never, while 175 (42.3%) answered sometimes. In terms of checking the expiration date of insulin bottles, 44 (10.6%) never do so, whereas 175 (42.3%) check it on occasion. The number of participants with good practices was around one-third 149 (36%), while the number of participants with bad practices was 265 (64%). Conclusion: There was a low proportion of participants who frequently practiced insulin injections appropriately in this study. Patients should still be educated about the crucial injecting practices. There were unsafe insulin injection practices involving insulin pens and insulin syringes. It is important to pay more attention to the patient’s unsafe practices.