European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in severity of diabetes every year has been linked to patient’s lack of knowledge and practice of proper self-care. Due to its extreme importance, an annual assessment of patients' skills and knowledge has been recommended by The American Diabetes Association.
Objectives:
1. To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of diabetic patients and to study the impact on glycemic control.
2. To educate the patients about the importance of lifestyle modification in the management of diabetes.
Methods: This study was conducted at the tertiary care level center in latur city of maharashtra. All the patients suffering from type 2 DM for more than one year attending the OPD and at IPD were included in the study irrespective of their age.
Results: On analyzing the data, it is found that only 7.14% participants had knowledge about the insulin deficiency as the cause of DM. only 37.30% of people knew that it is hereditary disease. Participants knowing that DM causes delayed wound healing were 58.73%. Only 50% participants follow the diet plan. Participants examining their feet daily were just 7.14% and only one patient was carrying the diabetic ID card.
Conclusion: The results of the study state that type 2 diabetes patients are deficient of sufficient knowledge on the understanding of causes of DM, risk factors of DM, progress of the disease, complications of DM, different signs and symptoms of complications for early identification, and basic rules of foot care. Practices of eating green leafy vegetables, exercise daily and checking blood sugar regularly are followed well but simple practice of feet examination daily is not followed.