Abstract
Context:India has witnessed an increase in people suffering from diabetes mellitus and also those on insulin. The issue of handling used sharps in the community is an area of concern.Aims:Our study aimed to assess the change in knowledge and practise concerning the disposal of used insulin sharps in patients with diabetes, pre- and post-evaluation, a structured, health provider-initiated, patient-centred insulin-use health education (PIHE)Settings and Design:A pre- and post-evaluation study of PIHE set in an urban health centre in south IndiaMethods and Materials:A pre-evaluation study was done on a cross-sectional sample of type II diabetes patients, who visited the urban health centre and were on insulin for at least 1 year. A semi-structured pilot-tested questionnaire was used for the study. For 18 months, PIHE was provided to all insulin users at outpatient contact, after which a post-evaluation study among another cross-sectional sample of patients in the same centre, was done to assess change in knowledge and practise.Statistical Analysis Used:Univariate analysis followed by logistic regression.Results:The participants in the pre- and post-evaluation studies had a mean (SD) age of 54.9 (11.33) years and 57.2 (11.01) years, respectively. The baseline characteristics of gender, socioeconomic status and diabetes duration were similar. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference in knowledge (19 [19%] to 81 [81%]) and practise (7 [7%] to 73 [73%]) of participants regarding the correct disposal method of used insulin syringes and sharps before and after PIHE.Conclusions:PIHE over an 18-month period for diabetic patients on insulin significantly improved knowledge and practises relating to insulin use and correct disposal of syringes and sharps.
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