KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Diabetes is a common health problem that rapidly increased in Egypt with essential effect on morbidity, mortality, and health care resources. This cross-sectional study carried out to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of patients with diabetes type 2. A structured questionnaire was developed by the researchers to collect data related to patients' characteristics such as age, level of education, health status, level of knowledge attitude and practice were also obtained from 150 patients in National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology. The study results revealed that, 62% of patients age was ranged between 41 to 60 years and around half of them were male (54.7%), while one third of them cannot read and write (38%). The patients in general had poor knowledge, attitude and practice towards type 2 diabetes care. Health education program should be developed by a multidisciplinary team to improve the knowledge, attitude and practice of patients with type 2 diabetes. Effective guidelines should be established in Egypt to help in developing criteria to improve knowledge and attitude of patient towards practicing appropriate care.