Knowledge and Practice of Type 2 Diabetic Patients about Self-Management

Objective: To assess knowledge and practices of type 2 diabetic patients regarding self-management.Subjects and Methods: This study included 324 type 2 diabetic patients, attending the Chronic Diseases Clinic at Prince Salman Armed Forces Hospital during January, 2014. An interview administered questionnaire was utilized for data collection.Results: Almost two-thirds of them (62.3%) were males. The duration of diabetes mellitus was more than 10 years in 29% of the respondents. The highest level of practice was observed regarding compliance with medication (88.8%), while the lowest level of practice was detected regarding blood glucose testing (27.3%). Their practice regarding foot care, general diet, specific diet and exercise s were 58.7%, 47.8%, 40.1% and 38.9% respectively.Conclusions: Type 2 diabetic patients have poor knowledge about the self-management plan of diabetic care. Compliance is better with medical aspects of the regimen (e.g. medications) than with life style aspects of the regimen (diet and physical exercise).