DETERMINANTS OF NUTRITIONAL AWARENESS AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS; TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL LAHORE, PAKISTAN A STUDY OF 2017

Abstract

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to determine the awareness (i.e. nutritional knowledge, attitudes and practices) of diabetic patients and identify the factors associated with it.

Methods

A cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the awareness of diabetic patients and identify the factors associated with nutritional knowledge, attitude and practices of diabetic patients. A standardized pre-tested structured questionnaire was developed in order to interview the participants. Simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of study participants., the sample size was 403 after 5% lost to follow-up. Data analyses was done on SPSS version 20.0 and MS excel was also used for tables and graphs.

Results

Diabetes was more prevalent among people of 26-45-year age. Most of the patients were less educated, only few of them were graduates (18.7%). Most of the patients had positive family history of Diabetes (51%). Most of the patients had inadequate knowledge about disease (51%), poor attitude about disease (58.1%) and poor practices about disease (52.1%).

Conclusions

There is lack of knowledge and awareness about diabetes. The study indicates that there is need to organize awareness programs related life style modification of diabetic patients and for the management of diabetes. Prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in Pakistan.