Abstract
Background and aims:Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslims across the world. Through literature review, it has been found out that there are various articles published for the awareness of patients and general population regarding safe fasting during Ramadan. But very few studies highlight the Ramadan specific knowledge of general practitioners engaged in providing care to people with diabetes. This study aims to describe the practice, knowledge and attitude of general practitioners regarding treatment and dietary modifications for people with diabetes during Ramadan across Pakistan.Methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken among a sample of 274 general practitioners. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire that consisted of 25 questions that were structured according to three categories i-e. Ramadan specific knowledge, diet and physical activity and treatment modification related knowledge and practices of GPs.Results:Out of the total population of GPs surveyed, 70% responded correctly to the questions while 30% responded incorrectly. 1/4th of GPs incorrectly responded to questions regarding basic concepts of diabetes and Ramadan. 1/3rd of GPs responded incorrectly regarding questions on diet.Almost 40% of the GPs responded incorrectly to the questions regarding drug dosage adjustment in people with diabetes during Ramadan. However, more than 80% responded in agreement regarding alteration in medication timings.Conclusion:Almost one third of the studied populations of general practitioners across Pakistan lack the knowledge of basic principles that are important to be employed in the management of diabetes during Ramadan. Hence there is need to promote educational programmes and CMEs to improve the knowledge of our GPs that should be reflected by their sound clinical practices in the field of diabetes.
Highlights
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam
Doctors trained in Ramadan specific diabetes education can identify people who are at higher risk of complications during fasting
Study shows that 16.94% of the GPs responded that people with diabetes should never fast while 25.72% of the GPs said that taking insulin injection during fasting breaks the fast.6.4% of the GPs were of the view that Sehri can be skipped during Ramadan.19.02% of the GPs said that checking blood sugar levels during fasting is prohibited while 32.08% of GPs did not know about the proper action that should be advised to the patients if blood sugars level is 70mg/dl during the early hours of fasting
Summary
Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam It is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims to abstain from eating and drinking from pre-dawn to dusk during the whole month of Ramadan.[1] there is no bar on food, drugs or fluid intake after sunset. This study aims to describe the practice, knowledge and attitude of general practitioners regarding treatment and dietary modifications for people with diabetes during Ramadan across Pakistan. Conclusion: Almost one third of the studied populations of general practitioners across Pakistan lack the knowledge of basic principles that are important to be employed in the management of diabetes during Ramadan. There is need to promote educational programmes and CMEs to improve the knowledge of our GPs that should be reflected by their sound clinical practices in the field of diabetes
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