Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Rural Northern India

Abstract

Background: - Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Generating awareness on prevention of Diabetes is of key importance. For generating awareness, an idea on the level of awareness in general population has to be generated. The present study was conducted with the  aim  to   assess Knowledge, Attitude  and Practices (KAP )  among  diabetic  patients  from  a  rural  area. Methods:- The  study  was conducted on diagnosed cases of T2 DM  patients  visiting  Community  Health  Centre,  Ranbir  Singh  Pura, Jammu, J&K   for a follow-up. The study was conducted from October through December 2014   using a pre designed, pre-structured & validated questionnaire. Results: - 230 T2 DM patients comprising 128 males and 102 females   were enrolled   during   the study   period. The  knowledge score  of  the  patients  was  found  to  be  10.13±2.09, attitude  score  was 3.13±1.26  and  practice  score  was  2.86±1.39  out  of   maximum   possible  scores  of  14,6  and  5   for   knowledge, attitude  and  practices  respectively. Knowledge  scores  had  a  strong  association  both  with  attitude  as  well  as  practice  scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: - Knowledge of diabetic patients was good   but   attitude and practices needed   improvement.