An assessment of the level of diabetic patients’ knowledge of diabetes mellitus, its complications and management in Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Epidemiological data shows that Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in South Africa is increasing with changes in lifestyles and ageing of the population. Early diagnosis and management of DM is an important factor for limiting visual and physical complications of the disease. The purpose of this study was to establish the level of knowledge about DM, its ocular complications and management protocol amongst diabetic patients. A questionnaire was provided to a total of 106 diabetic patients attending the Tongaat Community Clinic, the University of KwaZulu Natal Eye Clinic and the Diabetic Awareness day in Chatsworth. All patients were receiving treatment for DM. The questionnaire consisted of questions relating to the patients’ knowledge of the disease, its ocular complications and its management. The respondents were mostly females (65%), aged between 30 to 85 years (mean = 52.45 ± 3.75 years). The majority (96%) of respondents knew about the existence of two main types of DM and 77% reported having Type 2 DM, 18% reported having Type 1 DM, and only 5% did not know the type of DM that they had. Many respondents thought that hereditary factors (78%), and diet and lifestyle modifications (77%), were important risk factors in the development of DM. Glucose levelcontrol (84%) and duration (85%) were thought as important risk factors for its complications. Although many subjects (66.1%) were aware of the visual threat that DM posed, only 42%, 44% and 53% knew that DM could result in diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma respectively. Less than half (48.3%) of the respondents had their last eye examination more than a year and a half ago. A significant proportion (60.8%) reported that the threat to vision was reason enough for them to have regular eye examinations. A large proportion (76%) of respondents reported that they had adequate knowledge of management of DM. Many (81%) of the respondents reported routinely controlling their DM through diet, 65% through exercise, 84% through sugar monitoring and 76% through regular medical examinations. The participants in this study had a significant knowledge of DM and its management. However, their knowledge of ocular effects was limited. These results highlight the need for educational programmes aimed at improving the knowledge of the effects of DM on the eyes including the need for regular eye examinations.

Ocular knowledge and practice among type 2 diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh

“…This view is supported by the fact that another study reported that only 19.5% of diabetic patients had their last ocular examinations within a year, and 34.5% had never any eye examination following the diagnosis of their DM [ 12 ]. These results compare well with those reported in Tanzania [ 19 ] and South Africa [ 20 ]. This finding suggests that lack of knowledge is a major barrier to eye care in Bangladesh.…”

Study of awareness of diabetes mellitus among diabetics and non-diabetics and drug utilisation pattern in diabetics attending tertiary care general hospital in India

“…The mean age of our study population was 40-50 years, as age is one of the risk factors for the development of diabetes. 10 Similar findings are seen in previous studies where there is a high prevalence of diabetes among the elders. 11,12 Many patients are illiterate in this study group, as educational level is positively associated with knowledge of the disease.9 Similar finding was seen in a study done in rural area of Chennai, which reports that the higher the educational levels, the higher the knowledge about diabetes.…”

Awareness and knowledge of diabetes mellitus among diabetic patients in Puducherry, India

“…The mean age of our study population was 54 years, as age is one of the risk factors for the development of diabetes. 6 Similar findings are seen in previous studies where there is a high prevalence of diabetes among the elders. 7,8 Many patients are illiterate in our study group, as educational level is positively associated with knowledge of the disease.…”