Knowledge, attitude and practices of type II diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care teaching institute of central India

Abstract

Introduction: Increasing knowledge of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients regarding life-style modification can help in reducing morbidity and mortality in them. Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitude, practices (KAP) of DM patients and to co-relate it with demographic and professional characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted in 100 patients   of a tertiary care teaching hospital in central India. Results: 46% participants fell in the age group of 41-60 yrs. 94% patients were aware about high blood sugar level (BSL), 90% were aware of monitoring it. 85% were aware about hypoglycemic symptoms and its treatment and 80% knew about development of other complications. Regular check up was done by 70%, while 73% were adhered to treatment.   62% participants were following diet schedule, 68% did regular exercise. Smoking was given up by 30% and alcohol by 16%.  Conclusion: The knowledge of diabetic patients was good regarding awareness of blood sugar levels (BSL) and complications of disease. This could be due to long standing disease of study population. But certain unhealthy habits like smoking and consuming alcohol was being practiced, which if taken care of can lead to more positive outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality.