KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS VISITING SELECTED OUTREACH CLINICS OF DHARAN

Abstract

This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out with the objective to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of type 2 diabetic patients visiting the selected outreach clinics of Dharan. A total of 90 respondents were selected by using convenience sampling method. A face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire was carried out for data collection which incorporated info on socio-demographic characteristics. Anthropometric measurements were taken to obtain the body mass index and obesity status among the participants. The participants of the study were from the age group 27-89 years. Among 90 participants, 66.7% had been suffering from diabetes for more than 3 years with 32.2% having genetic history. The percentage of overweight and obese people was 73.3% and only 50% had blood glucose level under control. 60% of the respondents had good knowledge whereas 75.6% had positive attitude and good practices. Among socio-demographic variables, religion and education level were found to be significantly correlated with knowledge, attitude and practice score. Non-hindu patients were 3.7 times more likely to have good score as compared to Hindu while literate were 4.7 times more likely to have good knowledge, attitude and practice than illiterate. In overall, this study revealed good knowledge, positive attitude and good practice among patients but can't be said to the satisfactory level. Well-designed educational programs and health interventions needs to be planned and implemented targeting diabetics to increase the awareness and to bring positive attitude along with behavior change.