Patients? health education and diabetes control in a developing country

Abstract

We previously reported poor metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients attending 2 primary care clinics in Trinidad. In an attempt to explain the poor metabolic control, we assessed primary care patients' theoretical knowledge of diabetes control and risk factors. Two hundred fifty-four diabetic out-patients recruited consecutively were asked by questionnaire: (i) if they were aware that family history of diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and cigarette smoking were diabetes risk factors; (ii) if they knew the benefits of weight loss, exercise and healthy diet in diabetes management, and (iii) what where their common sources of diabetes health information. Although the majority of the patients (81.1%) were unaware that cigarette smoking is a diabetes risk factor, a majority were aware that obesity (66.3%), physical inactivity (73.5%) and being a relative of a diabetic patient (78.7%) constitute diabetes risk factors. Again, the majority of the patients were aware that healthy diet (94.9%), exercise (94.5%) and weight loss (87.4%) are beneficial in diabetes control. While media (48.6%) was the commonest source of diabetes information, doctors and nurses were consulted by 39.9% and 11.0% of patients, respectively. Type 2 diabetic patients in these clinics were well informed about diabetes risk factors and benefits of healthy lifestyle. Given our recent reports on poor metabolic control, application of this theoretical knowledge in controlling their diabetes remains doubtful.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Diabetic Patients in the United Arab Emirates

“…Having a close relative with chronic disease may be a good source of health information [20], [21], but such informal sources cannot be relied upon.…”

A comparative study of the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in type 2 diabetic patients in two Caribbean islands using the new International Diabetes Federation definition

“…In Trinidad and Tobago, diabetic patients obtain their free medical supplies from pharmacies in the public sector and the medications are often similar across the board. Although there is a paucity of dieticians and diabetes health educators in most developing countries (Brackenridge, 1999), a research report has shown that patients who are knowledgeable in controlling diabetes do not often apply the theoretical knowledge in controlling their diabetes (Ezenwaka & Offiah, 2003). Thus, the present finding should be of some concern to the country given that a recent study in Results expressed as mean + SD.…”

High Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity Increases the Risk of the Metabolic Syndrome in Nigerian Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Using the International Diabetes Federation Worldwide Definition

“…31,32 Patient health education on lifestyle changes (physical activity, weight control, dietary habits) and self-monitoring of blood glucose are particularly challenging in developing countries. 44,45 However, there is reduction in long-term plasma glycemia and coronary heart disease risk profile when less educated and/or retired Caribbean T2DM patients were trained and supervised on self-monitoring of blood glucose. 46 It should be noted that this study did not apply statistical calculation to diagnose the number of patients with the metabolic syndrome based on the IDF definition.…”