Original Article
Knowledge and self-care activities among Sudanese individuals with diabetes: a cross sectional survey
Abstract
Background: Increasing knowledge and self-care practices may lead to adequate glycemic control and decrease diabetes complications. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine the knowledge and self-care activities among Sudanese individuals with diabetes.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four centers of diabetes in Khartoum state (286 participants). The respondents were interviewed using a set of validated questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: Among 286 of individuals with diabetes, 43.4% were males and 56.6% females. Regarding knowledge, 19±5.145 was obtained as the median of total score of knowledge and 51.4% consider had sufficient knowledge about diabetes, and its complication, while 48.6% had insufficient knowledge. The respondent’s practice towards self-care activity in regards to foot examination, inspection of shoes and diet was acceptable (56.0%, 59.0%, 66.0%) respectively. But their practice towards exercise and eye examination was insufficient (47.0%, 45.1%) respectively. There was a significant association between knowledge and hypertension (HTN), patient that received education before staring treatment for diabetes and the patient that tells the health care provider about diabetes before taking any other medication. There was a significant association between the mean score of knowledge and the name of centers, education level and duration of diabetes. Importantly, no association was found between knowledge with the Frequency of meeting health care provider.
Conclusions: The overall knowledge of Sudanese individuals with diabetes towards diabetes was sufficient and their practice towards self-care activity was acceptable. Clinical and community pharmacists may have role in increasing knowledge and practice of diabetes.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four centers of diabetes in Khartoum state (286 participants). The respondents were interviewed using a set of validated questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: Among 286 of individuals with diabetes, 43.4% were males and 56.6% females. Regarding knowledge, 19±5.145 was obtained as the median of total score of knowledge and 51.4% consider had sufficient knowledge about diabetes, and its complication, while 48.6% had insufficient knowledge. The respondent’s practice towards self-care activity in regards to foot examination, inspection of shoes and diet was acceptable (56.0%, 59.0%, 66.0%) respectively. But their practice towards exercise and eye examination was insufficient (47.0%, 45.1%) respectively. There was a significant association between knowledge and hypertension (HTN), patient that received education before staring treatment for diabetes and the patient that tells the health care provider about diabetes before taking any other medication. There was a significant association between the mean score of knowledge and the name of centers, education level and duration of diabetes. Importantly, no association was found between knowledge with the Frequency of meeting health care provider.
Conclusions: The overall knowledge of Sudanese individuals with diabetes towards diabetes was sufficient and their practice towards self-care activity was acceptable. Clinical and community pharmacists may have role in increasing knowledge and practice of diabetes.
