Insulin injection practices

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the practices of insulin injection and the grounds on which diabetic patients make decisions in relation to insulin therapy. The data for this study were collected by a structured questionnaire with a few open‐ended questions. The study group of 100 patients with type 1 diabetes was collected from two sources. The first half of them (50) came from the Central Hospital of North Karelia and the second half from the Diabetes Education Centre of the Finnish Diabetes Association. The study group consisted of 56 women and 44 men. The range of age was 17–64 (mean 32 years) and the duration of diabetes 1–40 years (mean 11 years). Injection site problems were reported by 65% of the patients. Patients utilising a small skin area for injections (the size of a stamp), or patients who had poor metabolic control (HbA1c>8.6%), reported more problems than other patients. 30% of the patients occasionally injected through clothing during unusual situations (e.g. parties, busy work etc). Occasional skipping of injections was reported by 31% of the patients for reasons such as oblivion or on purpose (e.g. low blood glucose). The most general basis for their injection routines was reported to be a habit and the other basis was patient education. The study suggests problems in insulin injection practices. Systematic checking of the injection sites and technique and the improvement of patient education are recommended. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.