Assessment of diabetes mellitus related knowledge and its association with glycemic control level among adult diabetic patients attending Ministry of Health Primary Health Care Centers in Makkah Al Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Backgroundː Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high prevalence rate in Saudi Arabia. Patients must have sufficient knowledge about DM to improve their self-management skills and prevent complications. This research was conducted to estimate the knowledge level among diabetic patients attending primary care centers about DM and its impact on their health. Methodsː A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of type II diabetic patients in Makkah city. Self-administered validated Arabic questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, knowledge about the disease, and the level of control. Resultsː The study included 293 patients, 50.2% were females and 85.3% were Saudis. Mean age was 50 years (ranged 31 -77). Blood glucose was uncontrolled in 90.4% of patients. The overall knowledge regarding DM score mean 8.3±2.5 SD (ranged 3 -16) out of 20 and a median (Interquartile range) of 8 (7-10). Higher educated patients (p=0.043) and those who practiced physical activities (p=0.007) were more knowledgeable than their counterparts. None of the diabetes-related variables was significantly related with participants` information. Score of knowledge was not significantly related with level of glycemic control. Conclusionsː Patients with type II DM in Makkah had insufficient knowledge about their disease, its complications, and treatment.