A Study on Impact of Diabetes Knowledge on Glycemic Control and Self-Care Activities Among Adults with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

In this study, adult Indian people with diabetes (PWD) were examined in connection to their knowledge of the condition, glycemic control, and self-care practices. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease, involving inappropriately elevated blood glucose levels. This is a serious medical problem that has a significant impact on global mortality, morbidity, and health-system costs. Patients with chronic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus can enhance their self-care routines by receiving health education. Chi-square and correlation analysis were used to investigate how knowledge of a condition related to self-care and glycemic control. Majority of the sample was >45–60 years old (51.1%), suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus for<10 years (54%) and had poor glycemic control (HbA1C≥7%; n=102 participants). Diabetes patients with good glycemic control (HbA1c7) had a similar diabetes knowledge score (DKQ sum-scale score 12; IQR 10.75-14) as those with poor glycemic control (DKQ sum-scale score 12; IQR 10-15). Significantly (p<0.05) higher DKQ sum-scale scores were obtained by study participants aged 45-60 years (13; IQR 10-15), participants who had postgraduate level education (15; IQR 13-17), and participants having a family history of diabetes (13; IQR 10.25-15). Glycated haemoglobin levels and disease knowledge do not significantly correlate: however, disease knowledge is significantly correlated with PWDs' self-care practices. These findings will aid in the development of patient-specific diabetes education programmes that will increase the likelihood that diabetes patients will adopt appropriate self-care practices which ultimately aids in achieving target glycemic control.