Knowledge and self care practices among type-2 diabetics attending tertiary care hospital, Visakhapatnam City.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease requiring continuous medical care and strict glycemic control along with multiple risk-reduction strategies. Knowledge regarding diabetes and self-care practices are critical to prevent complications and to improve diabetes outcome. The present study was undertaken among type 2 diabetics to assess knowledge and self-care practices regarding diabetes.METHODSAdescriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2014 to December 2014 among 110 type 2 diabetics in tertiary care hospital Visakhapatnam. A semi structured pretested questionnaire was administered prior consent. Results were analyzed by using SPSS - 21 trial version. Statistical methods used were frequencies proportions standard error of difference between two proportions and plt0.05 was considered for statistical significance.RESULTS Among 110 study subjects 38.2 were males and 61.8 were females. Majority of participants were of age group 51-60 years. Knowledge regarding various activities such as performing regular physical activity dietary modifications and blood glucose monitoring seen in 70.9 72.7274.54 of study participants respectively. Whereas knowledge regarding symptoms of hyperglycemia hypoglycemia seen in 46.36 and 30.9 of participants respectively. Among self-care practices following healthy diet planz2.12regular physical activityz2.14 and regular intake of medicationz2.19 were practiced well and were significantly associated with attaining glycemic control. Self-care practices like foot care periodic eye-checkups carrying quick acting sugars were poorly practiced.CONCLUSION As evidenced by study there is a need to promote self-care practices among the diabetics and integrate all the components of self-care education in clinical practice for better outcome in the management of diabetes.nbsp