Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Self-care Practice Towards Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Abstract

Diabetes is a clinical syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia due to absolute or relative insulin deficiency. Lack of awareness about diabetes contributes to a more significant extent to the development of its complications. Self-care encompasses lifestyle modifications, medication-taking behavior, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and foot care. The study aimed to analyze the level of knowledge, attitude, and self-care practice toward type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine the knowledge versus practice gap among the patients. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted to know the knowledge, attitude, and practice-oriented issues prevailing among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Out of 85 patients, 49 were male and 36 were female, generating 57.6 % and 42.3 % respectively showing more prevalence in males than in females. The disease was predominantly present in patients aged 55- 67 years. This study showed that 57.6 % (n= 49) of patients had glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values above 7.5 %. Female patients showed higher HbA1c > 9.6 % than males. Among the 51 patients whose fasting blood glucose sugar (FBS) was assessed, only 9.8 % had FBS <90 mg/dL. This study shows that people with type 2 diabetes mellitus have at least one other condition that can influence the self-management of diabetes and its progression. Dyslipidemia was found to be the most prevalent (10.58 %) among the study population. Sulfonylureas (69.41 %) are the most commonly prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs). Among the study population, 52.9 % of them use insulin. 48.2 % are hypertensive patients and 34.11 %, 23.52 %, and 10.58 % are under anti-hypertensives, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-platelet drugs respectively. Diabetic neuropathy was common (2.35 %) compared to other microvascular complications. (n= 63) patients were prescribed fixed-dose combination (FDC), which is crucial in effectively achieving glycemic targets. 88.23 % of patients had a profound knowledge of their conditions. 30.58 % of patients were not aware of the serious complications of diabetes. Self-care practice is lacking among 80 % of people who do not regularly take self-care measures to prevent diabetes.