Knowledge and perceptions of diabetes in a semi-urban Omani population (original) (raw)
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Annals of Saudi Medicine, 2009
Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem in the Sultanate of Oman. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perception of diabetes in a sample of the Omani general population, and the associations between the elements of knowledge and perception, and sociodemographic factors. Methods: The study was carried out in two semi-urban localities. A total of 563 adult residents were interviewed, using a questionnaire specifically designed for the present study. In addition to demographic information, the questionnaire contained questions on knowledge related to diabetes definition, symptoms, risk factors, complications and preventative measures, as well as risk perception for diabetes. Results: Knowledge of diabetes was suboptimal. The percentages of correct responses to questions on diabetes definition, classical symptoms, and complications were 46.5%, 57.0%, and 55.1%, respectively. Only 29.5%, 20.8% and 16.9% identified obesity, physical inactivity and a positive family history, respectively, as risk factors for diabetes. A higher level of education, a higher household income, and the presence of a family history of diabetes were found to be positively associated with more knowledge. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there is lack of awareness of major risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Level of education is the most significant predictor of knowledge regarding risk factors, complications and the prevention of diabetes. Given that the prevalence of diabetes has increased drastically in Oman over the last decade, health promotion seems essential, along with other means to prevent and control this emerging health problem.
Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 2013
Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is emerging as one of the world's greatest health problems, and its incidence and prevalence are increasing at an alarming rate and globally reaching epidemic proportions. With this increasing incidence, emphasis is now being placed on implementing primary prevention, early detection, and educational prevention programmes. This study was undertaken to estimate the level of knowledge of T2DM among high school students and to explore the factors influencing the knowledge of T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in four secondary schools in two wilayats (districts) of Muscat governate, Oman, namely Al-Amerat and Quriyat. The study was conducted using a validated English questionnaire covering all aspects of T2DM in one-to-one interviews. A scoring system was used to assess the students' knowledge. Results: Of the 541 students enrolled in the study (45% male and 55% female), only 24% achieved a score of over 10 out of 20. The key areas of poor knowledge were wrong perceptions about diabetic meals (73%), and the possibility of a cure for diabetes (63%). Conclusion: Overall poor knowledge levels about T2DM were found among school students. National efforts and school-health-based interventions are highly recommended to increase awareness about diabetes among this age group.
Knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and practices towards diabetes mellitus in Kuwait
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2018
Background: Rates of diabetes in Kuwait are among the highest in the world. Aims: To inform prevention initiatives, this study assessed diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards it, and personal behaviour relating to risk factors among the Kuwaiti population. Methods: A cross-sectional knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices survey of 1124 people was performed between July and September 2015. Descriptive analysis and χ2 tests were performed. Results: Although most participants (94%) had heard of diabetes and 87% believed type 2 diabetes to be preventable, knowledge of risk factors was poor [family history (87%), age (44%), low exercise (10%), obesity (4%), diet (0%) and stress (0%)]. Dietary patterns in Kuwait were variable and, of concern, 42% of those with diabetes had been eating more since diagnosis. Lifestyle, particularly among Kuwaitis and people with diabetes, was sedentary-47% of participants walked < 20 minutes per day. Conclusions: Despite the importance of diet and exercise for diabetes prevention, significant gaps in public education clearly exist. At a policy level, much remains to be done and intensified intersectoral programmes are required to improve public awareness.
Socio-Demographic Features and Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus among Diabetic Patients in Kuwait
International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 1997
Objective: To determine the socio-demographic profile and assess knowledge about the nature, symptoms, complications, and treatment of diabetes mellitus among diabetic patients in Kuwait. Methods and Results: A cross-sectional sample survey of 788 patients attending specialized diabetic clinics was conducted in 1995. Kuwaitis were significantly more represented in this sample than in the general population (52.5% versus 37%). Female to male ratio among Kuwait population was 1.07 and among non-Kuwaitis it was 0.28. Age at diagnosis ranged between sixteen to eighty years with a mean of 48 ± 10.8 years. Overall knowledge was assessed by percentage of correct responses for individual knowledge questions. There was no significant difference in knowledge of diabetes seen among Kuwaitis (66%) and non-Kuwaitis (64%). No sex difference in knowledge was seen. Knowledge about diabetes was highest among diabetic patients with increasing educational achievement but lowest with advancing age. Con...
Public knowledge, attitude and practice toward diabetes mellitus in Hail region, Saudi Arabia
Public knowledge, attitude and practice toward diabetes mellitus in Hail region, Saudi Arabia, 2019
Background: There is a rapid increase in the number of people with type II diabetes worldwide with many preventable cases. Diabetes control or prevention is partially influenced by the individual's knowledge, attitude and practice toward the disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the general public knowledge, attitude and practice toward diabetes in the region of Hail, which is located northern of the Saudi capital. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted during the period of March 2018 until September 2018. We randomly selected participants over the age of 18 years at different locations. Results: A total of 738 participants (428 females and 310 males) with and an age range of 18-61 years and mean age of 35±12 were surveyed. The majority of the participants, regardless of education levels, residence and employment status showed high knowledge of diabetes (82%) and knew that physical activity can positively affect/prevent diabetes. Participant's age was found to have a significant association with participant's knowledge of diabetes with the ≥35 year old group knew the different types of diabetes (p<0.001) and knew that high carbohydrate consumption can increase the risk of diabetes (p<0.001), but only the younger group <18 year old's identified diabetes as a genetic disorder (p<0.001). Conclusion: The high knowledge of the disease and its risk factors were not truly mirrored in the participant's attitude and practice toward the disease. Therefore, it is quite essential for the local health authorities to implement awareness programs to improve public attitude and practice toward diabetes.
Introduction: Diabetes is a major public health concern in Qatar. This study examined diabetes knowledge and perception of available services for diabetes control among diabetic patients in Qatar. Methods: Data from 300 diabetic patients were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire between February and May 2015 at Hamad Medical Corporation healthcare facilities in Qatar. Survey responses were represented as frequencies, and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions across gender. A p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 31% of patients had Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (females 36.6%, males 26.5%) and 54% had Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) (males 56.6%, females 50%). Knowledge about diabetes types did not differ by sex (P=0.16). 32.3% of patients were treated for diabetesrelated complications including: high cholesterol (39.2%), vision problems (33.1%), hypertension (30.0%), and foot problems (25.1 %). Most patients were diagnosed at primary care clinics (41.7%). During visits, 78.3% of patients reported that they were fully advised about different diabetes tests. 57.0% of patients had ≥4 visits for diabetes checkups in the past 12 months. 66.7% of patients reported that they were confident or very confident in managing their diabetes as a result of their healthcare visits in the past year. The majority of patients reported receiving diabetes-related guidance from physicians (89.7%). Conclusions: Study participants had variable knowledge of diabetes, its complications and risk factors, and services available to diabetics. More comprehensive education and awareness about diabetes is recommended for both patients and family members. At the provider level, further improvement in patient counseling and promotion of available services can be beneficial.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of patient with Diabetes Mellitus in Mukalla City-Yemen
Assiut Scientific Nursing Journal, 2015
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major public health concern which associated with increased morbidity, mortality, health care utilization and costs. Also it is the unremitting diseases that cause high rate of death around the world. Aim of study: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of study participants about diabetes in Mukalla City-Yemen. Setting: The study carried out in Mukalla City-Yemen. Design: survey research design. Sample: 1650 participants selected, the Subjects were selected based on a systematic random sample of houses in district. Parts of the study: Data collected by using three tools: Socioeconomic data, Tool (a): Participants s' knowledge regarding Diabetes mellitus. (b): included knowledge about attitudes of diabetic patients. Tool (c): knowledge about practices of diabetic patients. Results: Regarding age groups of the studied participants it found that the mean of participants' age were (70± 8.34). Majority of participants had poor knowledge and practices about diabetes and its management. Also, the vast majority had negative attitude toward DM. Conclusion: This study found that participants had poor knowledge, attitude and practices toward DM. Recommendations: A continuous and repeated health education guide on diabetes for diabetic patients could be designed to include all aspects of diabetes such as the diagnostic criteria, physical exercise and guideline for managing the disease.
Public Awareness and Perceptions about Diabetes in the State of Qatar
Cureus, 2018
Introduction Diabetes is a well-known global public health challenge affecting millions globally. The aims of this study are to examine the community diabetes knowledge, perceptions, and awareness among the public in Qatar regarding (1) disease symptoms, risk factors, complications, prevention, and associated behaviors, and (2) local diabetes campaigns and available services or resources. Methods This study involved a total of 501 respondents selected through purposive sampling from major public malls and public places in Doha, Qatar between February and May 2015. Data were gathered by face-to-face interview utilizing a semi-structured questionnaire. Results were analyzed using count, percentage, median, chi-square test, z-test on proportion and logistic regression. The analysis was carried out at 5% level of significance using SPSS version 22 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). Results About 92% of participants knew at least one type of diabetes. Over 43.9% were physically active ...
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2016
Knowledge of diabetes among patients with the disease in the United Arab Emirates is essential for effective self-management. We assessed the level of diabetes-related knowledge among patients and compared it with that found in previous studies in the same city. A cross-sectional study, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, was conducted at two clinics in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The Michigan Diabetes Knowledge Test, translated into Arabic, was used to assess knowledge of diabetes. Of 165 participants with diabetes, 130 (78.8%) were women. The mean knowledge score was low at 55% (6.6 out of a maximum possible score of 12, standard deviation 1.8). This is comparable to levels found in previous studies: 55.5% in 2001 and 68.2% in 2006. Misconceptions about the diabetic diet and blood testing were common. The level of diabetes-related knowledge has remained low since 2001. These results are of concern in view of the substantial investments made in diabetes care and health education in the region.
PLOS ONE, 2019
To assess the knowledge and practices toward diabetes in the Jordanian community. Methods This study was conducted as a public based cross-sectional study in different cities in Jordan. A previously published validated questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) toward diabetes mellitus (DM) was translated from the Arabic version and used in this study with very minor modification to be suitable for this study of the Jordanian population. Results A total of 1,702 participants were recruited in the present study. About half of the participants (53.3%) had good knowledge scores. The respondents' knowledge scores were significantly correlated with attitudes (p < 0.001). The education level (university or higher) and education related to a field were predictors for good knowledge and positive attitudes. About 46.3% of participants had positive attitudes toward the disease. As for practices, 37.7% of participants did not engage in regular exercise while more than half of the study subjects had never checked their blood glucose level on an annual basis. The factors influencing the practice of checking blood glucose level have been investigated. Conclusion This study has highlighted the need for more educational interventions to address negative attitudes and promote healthy lifestyle practices and regular health checks especially in certain subgroups of patients, such as those not having a degree related to the medical field and not having a first-degree relative with DM.