English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening condition of diabetes that is characterized by hyperglycaemia, ketoacidosis, and ketonuria. It happens when glucose's ability to enter cells for use as metabolic fuel is blocked by absolute or relative insulin deficiency. This causes liver to divide fat into ketones as a source of fuel. The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis among diabetes patients in selected hospitals of Wardha district. METHODS A descriptive study was undertaken among 60 purposively selected patients of diabetes with diabetic ketoacidosis in Wardha district. Data was collected by using structured knowledge questionnaire during the month of May 2020. RESULTS The level of awareness among diabetes patients on how to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis was measured. The findings of study show that 49 (80 %) people had poor level of knowledge score and 11 (20 %) people had average level of knowledge score. Mean score was 4.38 ± 2.48 with mean percentage 24.35 ± 13.80. The association of knowledge score with educational status of diabetes patients from selected hospital. The tabulated ‘F’ values were 2.76 (df = 3, 56) which is much less than the calculated ‘F’ i.e., 8.73 at 5 % level of significance. Also, the calculated ‘P’=0.0001 which was much less than the acceptable level of significance i.e., ‘P’=0.05. Hence, it is interpreted that educational status of diabetes patients is statistically associated with their knowledge score. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with diabetes are poorly aware of the preventive measures of diabetic ketoacidosis. This study revealed several preventive gaps relating to an appropriate prevention strategy and acute diabetes complications. This research concluded that most patients with diabetes had insufficient knowledge of the signs and symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis and its management. KEY WORDS Knowledge, Prevention, Sign, Symptoms, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Diabetes Patients