1Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka
2Nutrition. Coordinator, AMDA-Nepal Primary Health care project for Bhutanese Refugees Damak, Jhapa, Nepal
3Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka
4Professor, Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka
5Lecturer in Statistics, Department of Community Medicine, J.N. Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka
*Address for correspondence: Dr. Shobha S. Karikatti, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Belgaum Institute of Medical Sciences, Belgaum, Karnataka, India - 590010, Phone No: 919448692170 (Mobile);
Online published on 13 January, 2015.
To assess the knowledge of diabetes among diabetic patients of urban poor
Diabetes has been a major threat to public health, as 3.2 million deaths are aributed to diabetes every year. The management of diabetes depends on awareness of patient regarding diabetes, self care activities and knowledge of symptoms and complications.
The study was carried out in the Urban Health Center area of Belgaum. The knowledge of diabetes, its risk factors, signs or symptoms and complications was assessed among diabetic patients, by using scoring system. Data was analyzed using percentages, proportions and statistical test (chi-square test) was used for categorical data.
The study revealed that, out of 192 diabetic patients, 108(56.25%) knew something about diabetes. Among 109(56.77%) who knew about its risk factors, only 44(22.92%) knew all the risk factors and more than half, [104(54.17%)] patients knew the impact of diabetes on other organs.
Diabetes, knowledge, symptoms, Complications, awareness, risk factors
