Assessment of Diabetic patients knowledge regarding its cause, signs, symptoms and treatment therapy in Kirkuk province

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a global disease with extreme effect on the quality of life of affected patients. Across- sectional study was conducted in Kirkuk General hospital and Azadi hospital from the period of beginning of January 2012 to the end of March /2012. The aim of the study was to determine the diabetic patients knowledge regarding its definition, causes, signs and symptoms, duration of illness, and treatment therapy and to found any relation between educational level and their knowledge concerning dietary habits of the disease. The study found hat most of the patients aged between 60-69 years (43.5%) with 6-15 years duration of illness and they on Insulin therapy (54.3%). Diabetic knowledge regarding its definition, causes and signs and symptoms was above cut- off point and there is a strong relation between educational level and their knowledge about dietary habits of the disease. Conclusion, there are quite deficient in Diabetic knowledge and there was a socio- demographic factors affecting their knowledge. The current study recommended that an effective educational program regarding the dietary habits of the disease.