KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE REGARDING DIABETES AMONG TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS IN BARAHAKSHETRA MUNICIPALITY, SUNSARI

Abstract

A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding diabetes among type 2 diabetic patients(T2DM) in Barahakshetra Municipality, Sunsari. A total of 150 T2DM patients aged 20-79years were selected by convenience sampling method visiting the OPD of Barahakshetra Nagar hospital during the period of one month from 19th February to 18th March. A face-to-face interview was carried out using structured questionnaire which included socio-demographic, behavioral characteristics and validated knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questions. Anthropometric measurement was taken to obtain overweight and obesity status. The collected data were analyzed using chi-square test and correlation analysis. The study showed that majority of participants were female 78 (52%) while male were 72 (48%). Most participants were in the age group 46-55 year 46 (30.7%). Majority were housewife 60 (40.0%) and majority had overweight and obesity 110 (73.3%). 64.7% respondents had normal blood glucose level. 17.3% respondents consumed alcohol and 10% had smoking habit. The study revealed that 76% of the participants had good knowledge, 24% had poor knowledge regarding diabetes. 75.3% of the participants had good attitude and remaining others 24.7% had poor attitude towards lifestyle modification. 74.7% of the participants had good practice, 25.3% had poor practice for management of diabetes. Smoker patients had significantly higher fasting blood glucose levels. Positive correlation was found between KAP. Significant association was found between level of knowledge and sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, education, occupation, history of diabetes. Similarly, monthly income and fasting blood glucose levels of the participants were significantly associated with attitude level. Only fasting blood glucose levels was found statistically associated with practices related to management of diabetes. This finding highlights the need for the targeted educational interventions to improve awareness, attitude and practice among type 2 diabetic patients for better health outcomes and quality of life.