Factors associated with knowledge and hypoglycemia experience among patients with diabetes mellitus in Ghana: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAmong persons with diabetes on treatment, hypoglycemia is the most common iatrogenic acute metabolic complication. Many factors influence hypoglycemia, highlighting the need for diabetic patients to recognize, and manage these potential factors in order to reduce the rate of hypoglycemia. In this study, we assessed the knowledge, experiences of hypoglycemia, and associated risk factors among Ghanaians with diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 444 clinically diagnosed DM patients from the Suntreso Government Hospital, who were on treatment for at least a year. A structured validated questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical data from the participants. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 20.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0.ResultsMore than half (52.7%) of the study participants had poor knowledge of hypoglycemia. Moreover, 52.9% of diabetics had experienced hypoglycemia. Participants who were in the age groups of 55–64 and 65–80 years, being retired, being diagnosed with diabetes for 11–20 years and more than 20 years, taking in alcohol, and having adequate knowledge were independent determinants of experiencing hypoglycemia.ConclusionKnowledge level of hypoglycemia among Ghanaian diabetics is low. Prompt recognition of risk factors of hypoglycemia and the careful monitoring and management of glycemic levels in high‐risk groups are important to lessen the prevalence of hypoglycemia in these populations.