Determinants of misconceptions about diabetes among Saudi diabetic patients attending diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective:To identify the determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in patients registered with a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional survey was carried out at a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2012. A total of 200 diabetic patients were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising 36 popular misconceptions. The total misconception score was calculated and categorized into low (0-12), moderate (13-24) and high (25-36) scores. The association of misconception score with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. Step-wise logistic regression was applied to the variables showing significant association with the misconception score in order to identify the determinants of misconceptions.Results:The mean age was 39.62 ± 16.7 and 112 (56%) subjects were females. Type 1 diabetics were 78 (39%), while 122 (61%) had Type 2 diabetes. Insulin was being used by 105 (52.5%), 124 (62%) were self-monitoring blood glucose and 112 (56%) were using diet control. Formal education on diabetes awareness had been received by 167 (83.5%) before the interview. The mean misconception score was 10.29 ± 4.92 with 115 (57.5%) subjects had low misconception scores (<12/36). On the Chi-square test, female gender, rural area of residence, little or no education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no dietary control and no diabetes education were all significantly (P < 0.05) associated with higher misconception scores. Step-wise logistic regression suggested that diabetes education, gender, education and time since diagnosis were significant (P < 0.05) predictors of misconception scores.Conclusions:The strongest determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in our study population were female gender, rural area of residence, illiteracy or little education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no diet control and no education about diabetes.

Attitudes, Knowledge, and Perceptions of Patients Regarding Type-2 Diabetes in Jordan

“…These denial attitudes were therefore seen as a barrier that influenced patients' motivation to adhere to treatment plan. Similar misconceptions were reported in Saudi Arabia [23].…”

Prevalence of unwillingness to use insulin therapy and its associated attitudes amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia

“…In Saudi Arabia for instance, only one third of patients with diabetes attending the primary care setting in Makkah City have adequate health education [28]. Therefore, it could be expected that there should be a high prevalence of unwillingness to use insulin, similar to that seen in other Asian countries, as there are common misconceptions about diabetes and its management in Saudi Arabia [27,32]. Our study was conducted at a university tertiary hospital which might provide better diabetes care with various educational programmes and this could explain the low prevalence.…”

Effects of a Psychoeducational Program on Hemoglobin A1c Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Jazan, Saudi Arabia

“…Moreover, increasing evidences suggest that DM education programs that address the self-care and the psychological care of diabetic patients improve their QoL and help them in controlling their diabetes [13]. Although several studies have been conducted in Saudi Arabia addressing the prevalence, risk factors, and care for DM [14, 15], few studies addressed HRQoL among diabetics and to the best of our knowledge no study has assessed the impact of educational programs on HRQoL among diabetics in Jazan. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a psychoeducational intervention program on HbA1c levels and HRQoL in patients with type 2 diabetes in Jazan.…”