EVALUATION OF AWARENESS AMONG PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS MANGEMENT

Objective: To evaluate the awareness among diabetic patients regarding their disease and its management in 5 districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Design: Study conducted at medical OPDs of DHQs and secondary level hospitals in the private sector from august to September 2017. Method: All considered patients who were visiting there hospitals were approached and a questionnaire was being filled by them consisting of questions regarding the awareness and management of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Results: 100 patients were evaluated, out of which 36% were male and 64% were female.3% patients were below 25 years of age, 13% were in the range of 25-40 years, 61% were in the range of 41-60 years and 23% patients were above 60 years of age.6% of the patients suffered from type I diabetes and 94% from type II diabetes.20% of the patients had associated eye complains while 18% had an associated nerve disorder. In 13% of the patients associated nephropathy had been observed. Percentage of patients who had their own glucose testing device in the private sector is 58% while only 18% in the government sector. It has also been evaluated that in the private sector 86% of the patients had an idea about hypoglycemia and its management, 78% of patients had an idea about importance of diet control and 76% had an idea about importance of exercise in the management of diabetes mellitus whereas in the government sector 72% of the patients had an idea about hypoglycemia and its management, 66% of patients had an idea about importance of diet control and 32% had an idea about importance of exercise in the management of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Awareness of diabetes mellitus and its management in our community needs to be improved. Overall percentage of awareness that has been calculated depicts that awareness in the private sector is comparatively better than government sector (63.3 and 40.03% respectively). Key words: Diabetes mellitus, complications, awareness, glucose testing, diet control and exercise, hypoglycemia