A BSTRACT Background: Diabetes mellitus [DM] is the most prevalent disease that affects modern human life in Saudi Arabia. People with DM must have a comprehensive understanding of the nature, risk factors, complications, and treatment methods to mitigate complications. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess diabetic patient awareness of complications and their effect on treatment compliance in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting available diabetic patients in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Patients aged 18 years or more living in the Asir region with type 1 or type 2 diabetes were included. Data were collected from eligible patients using a pre-structured electronic questionnaire. The tool covered the following data: patients’ sociodemographic data, patients’ diabetes duration, patients’ compliance with medical care and treatment, patients’ awareness regarding diabetes-related complications, and patients’ experienced complications. The questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by researchers. Results: A total of 466 diabetic patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Patients’ age ranged from 18 to more than 50 years old, with a mean age of 38.9 ± 12.6 years old, Of the 279 patients, 59.9% were males. 143 [30.7%] patients reported measuring HbA1c every three months. 363 [77.9%] reported having a blood glucose meter at home, but only 205 [44%] reported having a good concern to measure their blood sugar and 211 [45.3%] had good diabetic control, while 124 [26.6%] reported excellent control. Of those, 218 [46.8%] patients had good awareness levels regarding diabetes-related complications, while 248 [53.2%] had poor awareness levels. Conclusions: Our study showed that diabetic patients living in Asir region had an average awareness level regarding diabetes-related complications, especially newly diagnosed, young people. Interestingly, diabetic patients showed good-to-excellent adherence to medical care and medications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.