Self-care habits and disease-state understanding of diabetic patients

Diabetic patients who had never participated in a formal diabetes education program were surveyed to assess their self-care patterns and knowledge of diabetes. A sample of 142 men was selected from the diabetes clinic of a VA hospital. Patients were interviewed, a questionnaire was given to the insulin-dependent patients, and medical records were reviewed to determine concurrent use of antidiabetic medications and other drugs. The majority of patients (91%) were aware of the effects of alcohol, glucose rich foods, and lack of medication on diabetic control. However, 42% of the patients were aware of the effects of excessive exercise, and only 52% were aware of the effects of omitting meals. The most frequently cited problems involved factors of dietary control such as the use of food measurements, exchange lists, and caloric allotments. Patient knowledge of urine testing techniques was greater than knowledge of other areas. Only 24% of the patients knew the symptoms of hyperglycemia. The importance of foot care was understood by 44% of the patients, but only 13% knew how to remove corns and calluses correctly. The results of the supplemental questionnaire showed that the lowest levels of knowledge concerned insulin measurement and conversions. The appropriate aseptic procedures were known by the majority of the patients, and the time of insulin administration was understood by 97%. Medical records revealed that 23 patients were taking thiazides concurrently with their antidiabetic medication. An inverse relationship was found between age and knowledge scores, and a direct relationship was found between educational level and knowledge scores. These results should be useful in developing educational programs for diabetic patients.