Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Patients Visiting a Diabetes Care Unit

Abstract

All patients if given proper guidance and education regarding diabetes care would be able to make significant improvement in their life-style which is helpful for good glycemic control. Education to diabetic patients would be more effective if we know the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of our patients. Thus a study was conducted to assess the general characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices of type 2 diabetic patients attending the Out-Patient Department (OPD) of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology (Karachi, Pakistan). Fifty-seven percent of the patients were overweight or obese. Only 10.7% had good glycemic control. Sixty seven percent did not do exercise of any kind. The overall awareness about the risk of complications was satisfactory but the misconceptions regarding diet, insulin and diabetes were quite common. This study highlights the need for better health information to the patient through large scale awareness programmes so as to change the attitude of our public regarding diabetes.