Diabetes-Related Knowledge and Preventative Practices Among Government Employees with Diabetes in Kuwait

Abstract

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM)-related knowledge and preventative practices are vital for the successful management of this condition. In Kuwait, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the knowledge and preventative practices of DM patients. This study aimed to assess DM-related knowledge and preventative practices among government employees with DM in Kuwait and to examine associations between DM knowledge, preventative practices and other variables. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2015 and involved 345 employees with DM from 15 government ministries in Kuwait. A self-administered Arabic-language questionnaire was designed to assess DM-related knowledge and preventative practices based on the Diabetes Knowledge Test and the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association, respectively. Results: A total of 312 ministry employees agreed to participate in the study (response rate: 90.4%). The mean age was 45.6 ± 10.6 years. A total of 63.4% were male and 64.1% were Kuwaiti. The median DM knowledge score was 9 out of 14 and the median preventative practice score was 5 out of 14. High knowledge scores were significantly associated with education (β = 1.510; P ≤0.001) and income (β = 0.896; P ≤0.001). High preventative practice scores were significantly associated with income (β = 1.376; P = 0.002), DM duration (β = 0.919; P = 0.026) and knowledge scores (β = 1.783; P = 0.015). Conclusion: Government employees in Kuwait were found to have average DM knowledge and poor preventative practices. It is therefore imperative that policy-makers develop educational and health-promoting campaigns to target government employees with DM in Kuwait.

Living with Diabetes: Personal Interviews with Pakistani Women in Norway

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Knowledge and practice of patients with diabetes mellitus in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study

“…Studies from both developed and developing countries have reported that diabetes-related knowledge is generally poor among patients with diabetes mellitus [ 21 – 24 ], in line with our study results that showed that knowledge and practice scores of diabetes mellitus management and monitoring were also below average. A recent study in Kuwait revealed a considerable diabetes knowledge gap with only 6% of participants demonstrating high levels of diabetes-related knowledge [ 25 ]. Most of the respondents in our study, knew the drug name of the diabetes medication they were prescribed, however barely 20% were aware of its side effects.…”

Evaluating Knowledge and Stages of Nutritional Behavior Change in Diabetic Patients Covered by Comprehensive Health Service Centers in Ghayenat City in 2020

“…Previous studies have revealed that diet knowledge is a critical factor affecting diet behaviors and food choices. Studies in both developed and developing countries have indicated that knowledge of diabetes is generally low in patients with DM (21,22). Accordingly, designing educational interventions based on nutritional knowledge for diabetics can help complete the stages of changing the nutritional behavior.…”