1. BELIEFS, ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING A GENERAL MEDICAL CLINIC: A DESCRIPTIVE CASE CONTROLLED STUDY K M D J Rodrigo, S S C Silva, F H D S Silva, I D M Mabharana, S A S S Subasinghe, S T De Silva University Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka
BACKGROUND
Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was 13.85% among adult Sri Lankans in Addressing misconceptions about T2DM is known to improve diabetes control2.
We compared beliefs, attitudes and knowledge about T2DM between diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending a medical clinic.
Table 1. Demographic Details
Diabetes Group
Control Group
Age (mean in years)
61.35±10.8
58.27±12.8
Gender
Male – 34
Female - 47
Male - 38
Female - 43
Education level
Below O/L
Above O/L 39 42 36 45
Income level
< Rs /month
> Rs 10000/month 43 38 33 48
DESIGN, SETTING & METHODS
Consecutive patients with T2DM attending clinics of the University Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, formed the study group. Age and sex matched clinic patients without diabetes formed the control group. Data was gathered using an interviewer administered validated questionnaire.
Table 2. Evaluation of knowledge
Number
Mean Knowledge score
Significance
(p value)
Diabetes status
Diabetes
Non diabetes 81
6.16 ± 3.5
5.36 ± 2.9
0.121
Education level
Below O/L
Above O/L 75 87
4.76 ± 2.9
6.62 ± 3.3
<0.001
Monthly income
<Rs10000/month
>Rs10000/month 76 86
4.49 ± 3.1
6.68 ± 3.0
RESULTS
81 diabetics and 81 non-diabetics were enrolled. The average duration of diabetes was 8.55 years (Table 1). Diabetics did not have a significantly higher knowledge score compared to non-diabetics. However, diabetics with higher education level and income had a significantly better knowledge score compared to non-diabetics (Table 2).
Figure 1. % of participants who believed complementary therapies improved diabetes control
Figure 2. Knowledge of T2DM Management
Common Misconceptions regarding T2DM Diet
38/81(46.9 %) of diabetics thought jaggery was better than sugar.
33/81(40.7%) of diabetics thought brown sugar was better than white sugar.
17/81(21%) of diabetics thought honey/treacle was better than sugar.
CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge about T2DM and its management was poor among diabetics, highlighting inadequacies in health education.
Many misconceptions about T2DM prevail in the community, which must be addressed to prevent long-term complications.
References
1 Katulanda P, Sheriff MH, Matthews DR. The Diabetes epidemic in Sri Lanka- a growing problem; Ceylon Med J Mar; 51(1):26-8.
2 Duke SA, Colagiuri S, Colagiuri R (2009) Individual patient education for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev Jan 21;(1)