Exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices related to diabetes in Mongolia: a national population-based survey

Abstract

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading causes of mortality in Mongolia, and diabetes, in particular, is a growing public health threat. Mongolia is a nation undergoing rapid and widespread epidemiological transition and urbanisation: a process that is expected to continue in coming decades and is likely to increase the diabetes burden. To better inform policy and public-health responses to the impact of the growth in NCDs, a national NCD Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices survey was implemented in Mongolia in 2010; a section of which focused on diabetes.MethodsThis survey was a nationally-representative, household-based questionnaire conducted by field-workers. Households were selected using a multi-stage, cluster sampling technique, with one participant (aged 15–64) selected from each of the 3540 households. Questions explored demographic and administrative parameters, as well as knowledge attitudes and practices around NCDs and their risk factors.ResultsThis research suggests low levels of diabetes-related health knowledge in Mongolia. Up to fifty percent of Mongolian sub-populations, and one in five of the total population, had never heard the term diabetes prior to surveying. This research also highlights a high level of misunderstanding around the symptomatology and natural progression of diabetes; for example, one-third of Mongolians were unaware that the disease could be prevented through lifestyle changes. Further, this study suggests that a low proportion of Mongolians have received counseling or health education about diabetes, with lowest access to such services for the urban poor and least educated sub-populations.ConclusionsThis research suggests a low prevalence of diabetes-related health-knowledge among Mongolians. In this light, health-education should be part of any national strategy on diabetes.

Metabolic Control, Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude and Practice in Non-Insulin-dependent Diabetic Patients from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, South-West of Iran

“…Just 15 % of the patients were in good conditions of diabetes nutrition knowledge. This result on knowledge is in accordance with the findings of studies carried out in other parts of Iran (12,13,17) and other countries (5,11,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Niroomand et al reported high levels of patients' knowledge, attitude, and practice among Iranian diabetics in Alborz Province (10).…”

Fatores Associados Ao Conhecimento E À Atitude Em Relação Ao Diabetes Mellitus

“…Na Mongólia, constatou-se que apenas uma em cada duas pessoas com DM2 estava ciente da progressão da doença e de suas complicações, e um terço delas desconhecia que o DM2 pode ser prevenido por meio de mudanças no estilo de vida, como por exemplo, a adesão a hábitos alimentares saudáveis e a realização de atividade física (18) . Considerando o tempo de diagnóstico da doença, é possível inferir que a não realização de atividades coletivas de educação para a saúde e o seguimento parcial das recomendações do Ministério da Saúde para o controle de doenças crônicas, referentes, por exemplo, à periodicidade de consultas médicas, de acordo com o grau de risco do doente, refletem nos resultados encontrados (19) .…”

“…Acredita-se que a ausência de sintomas ou desconforto podem levar as pessoas a não terem interesse em conhecer sua condição de saúde. Importante lembrar que as complicações da doença podem ser postergadas ou até mesmo evitadas quando os níveis glicêmicos são adequados, e estes são influenciados pelo controle de peso e outros comportamentos (17)(18) . Neste sentido, o conhecimento satisfatório sobre a doença pode ou não favorecer a atitude positiva com relação a ela.…”

Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus: Does Gender Make a Difference?

“…Although the role of diet received 63.4% of adequate knowledge, only 26.9% and 20.1% of people knew that exercise and weight loss are key factors in prevention and treatment of type 2 DM [25].…”