Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Diabetic Patients about Periodontal Disease in BushehrC in 2015-16

Background: Due to the prevalence of periodontal disease in diabetic patients and known oral complications of diabetes, also due to the lack of information of diabetics towards periodontal disease and absence of any research in assessment of these two diseases in Bushehr city; this research has been done with the aim of assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of diabetic patients towards periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out by a questionnaire. The assessed population consisted of diabetic patients above 40 years of age (n=150), with diabetic type 1 or 2, controlled or uncontrolled, regardless of taking medication, having at least 10 teeth and were selected randomly. The questionnaire consisted of 25 questions which 5 of them were in relation to knowledge, 8 questions in relation to attitude, 6 questions in relation to practice and others were related to demographic data. Data collected from the questionnaires were coded and entered SPSS 18 software and was analyzed with the use of statistical analytic tests. Results: 51.30% of diabetic patients had a good level of knowledge and 62% had a good attitude level. Also, 44.70% of diabetics had a poor level of practice. There was a positive coefficient correlation between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice and attitude and practice. Conclusion: This study indicated that more than half of diabetic patients in Bushehr city  had a good level of knowledge and attitude but their practice level was poor. Therefore, else methods are needed to improve patients’ practice level