Diabetes related health knowledge, attitude and practice among diabetic patients in Nepal.

Anju Gautam,Dharma Nand Bhatta,Umesh Raj Aryal

doi:10.1186/s12902-015-0021-6

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, diabetes is the top priority chronic disease. Health literary would be cost effective for prevention and control of diabetes and its consequences. This study was conducted to determine the level of diabetes related health knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among diabetic patient and factors associated with KAP.MethodsAn institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probability sampling technique to select the diabetic patients. A total of 244 diabetic patients were interviewed from July to November 2014. Data was collected by face to face interview using structured interviewer rater questionnaires. Relative risk ratio (RRR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of associated factors were estimated by a stepwise likelihood ratio method with multinomial logistic regression.ResultsMore than half (52.5 %) of all patients were female, 18 % were illiterate, and 24.6 % were from rural residence. The diabetes related risk factors were common among diabetic patients; 9.8 % smoker, 16 % alcohol drinking, and 17.6 % reported low or no physical activity. Median score for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 81, 40 and 14 respectively. Among all patients, 12.3 %, 12.7 % and 16 % had highly satisfactory knowledge, attitude and practice respectively. Using highly insufficient knowledge as the baseline, the likelihood of having a level of highly sufficient knowledge was 17 times higher among patients who have graduated and above level of education compared to those who were illiterate. Albeit this value was comparatively lower than insufficient level of knowledge. The probability of having a sufficient level of practice among diabetic patient with a history of smoking was 0.10 times lower than in patient with no history of smoking.ConclusionsOur study reveals a variation between diabetes related health knowledge, attitude and practice in Nepal among those who are affected by diabetes. Our results show the potential diabetes health literacy needs to be improved or developed for better health promotion.

Highlights

Diabetes is the top priority chronic disease
Modifiable risk factors are associated with morbidity and mortality of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes
Settings and participants An institutional based, cross-sectional study was conducted in Diabetes, Thyroid and Endocrinology center at Kathmandu metropolitan city of Nepal among diabetic patients from July to November 2014

Summary

Introduction

Diabetes is the top priority chronic disease. Health literary would be cost effective for prevention and control of diabetes and its consequences. Diabetes has been established as a prototypical chronic disease that has affected 347 million people in 2008 [1] and 387 million in 2014 [2]. Evidence from the existing findings shows the increasing trend of global diabetes epidemic need to raise alarm with its risky effects on health cost, health care resources and national health budgets, quality of life, life. Modifiable risk factors are associated with morbidity and mortality of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes. Most of the risk factors blood pressure, tobacco use (9 %), alcohol use, physical inactivity (6 %), unhealthy diet, overweight, and obesity (5 %) are accountable for NCDs related deaths and disabilities [15]. 20 min daily moderate physical activity can reduce 27 % risk of diabetes and help to reduce weight [15, 16]

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