ASSESSMENT ON KNOWLEDGE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS ON THEIR DISEASE AND THERAPEUTIC GOAL AT AYDER REFERRAL HOSPITAL, MEKELLE, ETHIOPA

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that requires continuing medical care and patient self-management education to prevent acute and long term complications. The aim of this study was to assess diabetic patients’ knowledge of their disease and therapeutic goals at Ayder referral Hospital. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on139 diabetic patients, who attended outpatient Diabetes clinic of Ayder Referral Hospital. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. SPSS version 16 was used to analyze the data. The result showed that out of 139 patients, Seventy six (54.7%) of them were men. Overall the general knowledge of patients was found as; 41(29.5%) scored good, 32(23%) scored moderate and 66(47.5%) scored poor. From all the patients, 38 (27.3%) had good knowledge, 30(21.6%) had moderate and 71(51.1%) scored poor on disease related questions and 38 (27.3%) scored good, 49(35.3%) moderate and 52(37.4%) scored poor on therapeutic goal related question types. In this study patients had Knowledge deficit about their disease, which limits their involvement in the management of their disease. This study emphasizes the need for diabetes education at all levels to tackle diabetes-related complications. Key words: Knowledge, disease, diabetes, self-management, therapeutic goal Ayder Referral Hospital