Knowledge of hypoglycemia by primary health care centers registered diabetic patients

Authors

• Ahmed G. Elzubier, Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, PO Box 40187, Al-Khobar 31952, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fax. +966 (3) 864 5612 Email: aelzubier{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of diabetic patients about symptoms of Hypoglycemia, and the variables that may be associated with that knowledge. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1039 diabetic subjects, registered in the urban and rural primary health care centers of Makkah. The tool of data collection was a structured questionnaire. The parameters of the study were lack of knowledge about hypoglycemia measured as knowledge of individual symptoms; and the proportions of patients with poor knowledge score. RESULTS: The frequency of lack of knowledge of symptoms of hypoglycemia was around 50% of subjects. Two-third of subjects had a poor knowledge score. Main variables significantly associated with poor knowledge score were male gender (P< 0.001), low education (P < 0.0001), non-compliance with treatment (P < 0.02), and lack of knowledge about hypoglycemia (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: There is a need for health education of diabetic subjects about symptoms of hypoglycaemia, in order to deal with it in an effective way.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

219

Last Page

222

Recommended Citation

Elzubier, Ahmed G. (2001) "Knowledge of hypoglycemia by primary health care centers registered diabetic patients," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 22: Iss. 3, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.1385