Assessment of diabetes education in the teaching hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

With the aim of assessing continuing diabetes education and obtaining baseline information, we have evaluated the knowledge of 139 randomly selected diabetic patients from the Diabetes Clinic of Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy-five Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and 64 Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, with a mean age of 36 +/- 14 (+/- SD) (range 15-78, median 36) years, and mean duration of known diabetes 6.3 +/- 5.5 (range 1-30, median 5) years participated in the study. Knowledge was assessed by a questionnaire which examined three principal areas: general knowledge on diabetes mellitus, diet plus self care, and chronic complications. Twenty-eight (20.1%), did not attend any and 59 (42.5%) attended the diabetes education programme more than once. The Adjusted Percentage Score (APSCORE) was 69 +/- 1.4 (SEM). Type 1 diabetic patients had a significantly higher score (p < 0.001) for overall knowledge when compared to Type 2 patients. In both groups the knowledge on chronic complications was very poor when compared to the other areas (p < 0.001). No sex difference in knowledge was seen. Higher school and diabetes education attendance had a significant influence on the knowledge of diabetes. However, better knowledge about diabetes was not associated with better glycaemic control as measured by the fasting blood glucose concentration. The wide difference in knowledge, the low rate of attendance at diabetes education sessions, and the very low awareness about chronic complications is very worrying. To achieve the intended aim the diabetes education programme needs to be revised.