Abstract
IntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) has increased globally, with a significant increase noted in African communities. Self-care health-related behavior is determined by beliefs about health and illness which are based on the person?s knowledge of diabetes. The present study aimed to assess patients' diabetes awareness and level of diabetes knowledge in Zimbabwean adults with diabetes attending an outpatient diabetes clinic at a main referral hospital.MethodsIn this cross-sectional descriptive study, the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) was used to measure 96 (71 women and 25 men) patients' knowledge of diabetes and their treatment. Both descriptive and analytic statistical methods were used.ResultsMost respondents had poor knowledge in all the three knowledge categories, total knowledge of diabetes, general knowledge of diabetes and knowledge of insulin use. Major knowledge gaps were noted related to insulin use, glycemic control and diet. Attending DM classes was significantly associated with general knowledge about diabetes (p 0.026) while the level of education was an independent determinant of Total Knowledge and Insulin use knowledge scores.ConclusionThe identified knowledge gaps need to be addressed to control and minimize diabetes mellitus-related complications.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased globally, with a significant increase noted in African communities
In a recent study that focused on the level and determinants of diabetes knowledge in Zimbabwean adults with diabetes mellitus, we reported that patients with diabetes had major knowledge gaps regarding diet, glycemic control and insulin use [17]
This study investigated the knowledge of diabetes in a general population of persons diagnosed with diabetes visiting an outpatient diabetes clinic at a main referral hospital to control their disease
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased globally, with a significant increase noted in African communities. Studies have concluded that patients with diabetes in some African countries have limited knowledge about the disease, its management and patient self-care [10, 11,12,13]. Our previous study of Zimbabweans with diabetes, focusing on beliefs about health and illness, indicated that limited knowledge about the disease affected self-care and health-seeking behavior among Zimbabwean males and females with diabetes [16]. In a recent study that focused on the level and determinants of diabetes knowledge in Zimbabwean adults with diabetes mellitus, we reported that patients with diabetes had major knowledge gaps regarding diet, glycemic control and insulin use [17]. One can assume that patients involved in patient associations have greater knowledge and awareness of their health and self-care behavior than patients in a more general population like the ones who participated in the current study. This study investigated the knowledge of diabetes in a general population of persons diagnosed with diabetes visiting an outpatient diabetes clinic at a main referral hospital to control their disease
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