A study of knowledge, practices and treatment seeking behaviour among diabetic patients

Abstract

Background: Adherence is a complex process and patients’ decisions about how to manage their medications are likely based on economic, physical, psychological, and social considerations. Identifying factors associated with adherence would be of value for family physicians in focusing strategies to enhance patient adherence to antihypertensive medications. The objectives of the study were to knowledge, practices and treatment seeking behavior of patients with diabetes. Methods: Present study is a hospital based cross sectional study using interview technique carried out in the Medicine department of Malla Reddy hospital among 64 diabetic patients. Data was collected in predesigned, semi structured questionnaire. Information on socio-demographic profile, knowledge about diabetes, practices about diabetes, treatment seeking behaviour related to diabetes and quality of life was collected and recorded. Results: Overall knowledge of patients as assessed by these seven questions was very good. The overall treatment seeking behavior was found to be very good among these patients. It is observed from above table that majority of patients were following practices like wearing shoes regularly and dietary advice. Only 50% of patients had got their eyes checked in the last one year. However, practices such as checking blood sugar levels, blood pressure levels and consulting the physician regularly were not followed, as they should be. Conclusions: Knowledge of most diabetic patients was good. However, they were not regular with their check-ups. The overall treatment seeking behaviour was in line with modern medicine as well as diet. Diabetic patients were not extensively affected by the disease regarding quality of life. Most patients were able to carry out daily tasks. Still, there is a need of health education as many patients do not have adequate knowledge.