Evaluations of knowledge, skills and practices of insulin storage and injection handling techniques of diabetic patients in Ethiopian primary hospitals

Abstract

Background: Insulin is an effective therapeutic agent in the management of diabetes, but it is also sensitive to external environment. Consequently, diabetic patients’ adherence to insulin delivery recommendations is critical to its effectiveness. Patients’ lack of knowledge, skill and irrational practices towards appropriate insulin delivery techniques may end up in therapeutic failure and increase costs of therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ knowledge, skills and practices of insulin storage and injection techniques. Methods : An interview-based cross-sectional study was conducted though purposive selection of participants in Northwest Ethiopian primary hospitals from March 1 to May 30, 2019. Levels of knowledge were assessed with right or wrong responses, while practice was measured by using a 4-point Likert scale structured questionnaire collected via face-to-face interviews. Likewise, a five-point observational (demonstration) techniques checklist employed to assess patients’ skills. Results: Among 194 patients approached, 166 participants completed the survey giving a response rate of 85.6 %. More than half of the respondents (54.8%) were males and the mean age (±SD) was 38.5±13.8 years. The overall patients’ median knowledge and practice levels on insulin storage and handling techniques were moderately adequate (64.3%) and fair (55.4%), respectively. In patients’ skill assessments, 94.6% correctly showed injection sites, 70% indicated injection site rotations, and 60.75% practiced injection site rotations. Education (P <0.001), duration of insulin therapy (P =0.008), and duration of diabetes (P =0.014) had significant impact on knowledge level. Education (P <0.001), occupation (P<0.001), duration of insulin therapy (P=0.001), duration of diabetes (P=0.036) and patients’ knowledge level (P<0.001) were found to have a significant effects on the patients’ practice levels. A Mann-Whitney U test also disclosed that residency, ways to get insulin and mocked injection technique during the first training had significant effects on patients’ knowledge levels. Conclusion: The current study revealed that patients had moderately adequate knowledge and fair practice levels on insulin storage and handling techniques. However, patients missed important insulin administration skills. This study highlights the need of regular public health education so as to enhance the patients’ knowledge, skill and practice levels on insulin handling techniques.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice on insulin administration among diabetic patients and their caregivers – Cross-sectional study

“…This result was in contrast with the study conducted by Netere AK et al, where the mean duration of insulin 2.3 ± 0.8 years. 4 The present study found that most patients lived in rural areas (82.35%), and the rest of the patients lived in urban areas (17.64%). Similar findings were found in the studies conducted by Netere et al, and Mariye T et al, where most patients lived in rural areas (51.8% 7 and 59%, 22…”

“…21 The study conducted by Netere AK et al, showed that most of the patients (31.3%) had primary and secondary education. 4 In the present study, the majority of the patients were unemployed. A study conducted by Berhe KK et al, showed that most patients (34.3%) were unemployed.…”

“…In order to meet this criterion. 4 Insulin is available in its speed of action like rapid, short, intermediate, and long-acting types. Insulin administration is performed on different body sites, in which the abdomen is the most common site for injection.…”