Self-care knowledge among type 2 diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers, Cairo governorate

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to assess knowledge about self-care among type 2 diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers. Background Self-care in diabetes has been defined as an evolutionary process of development of knowledge or awareness by learning how to survive with the complex nature of diabetes in a social context. Because the vast majority of day-to-day care in diabetes is handled by the patients and/or their families, there is an important need for reliable and valid measures for self-care in diabetes. Patients and methods The study was a cross-sectional study carried out on 200 diabetic patients attending the outpatient clinic in Ramlet Bolak Primary Health Care Unit in west Cairo city who were registered during 2014–2015. The sample size was calculated on the basis of the total number of type 2 diabetic patients during the past 12 months and the prevalence rate from previous studies, which was from 4.07 to 19.8%, using Epi Info at 95% confidence interval. The center was chosen because of its high flow of diabetic patients who were visiting the health unit regularly every month across different socioeconomic strata. The selected patients were assessment on their knowledge and practice of self-care and were subjected to laboratory investigations (HbA1c). Results The studied groups were divided on the basis of HbA1c into the controlled and the uncontrolled group. The mean score of knowledge on what is diabetes, its complications, symptoms of hypoglycemia, symptoms of hyperglycemia, importance of kidney function follow-up, follow-up by ECG, and follow-up by fundus examination was higher in the controlled group. Further, the mean score of practice regarding diabetes self-care, such as following a diet regimen, physical activity, foot care, frequency of visiting the physician, and self-monitoring of blood glucose and taking medication was higher in the controlled group. Conclusion There was a statistically significant relation between the level of knowledge about diabetes self-care and lifestyle modification and HbA1c. This means that, with increasing knowledge and practice about self-care, good diabetic control will be achieved.