Attitudes and Knowledge of Diabetic Patients in Kirkuk Governorate

Abstract

Background : Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very serious disease affecting people of varying age and race all over the world, it is a condition in which the body produces little or none of the hormone insulin. If left untreated, the blood glucose levels can rise to such a point as to cause coma or possibly even death.

Objectives: To assess patient's attitude and Knowledge with diabetes mellitus in Kirkuk governorate as well as to find out the relationship between patients knowledge and some socio-demographic characteristic such as age and gender

Methodology: A descriptive study of a quantitative design were carried out at Azadi teaching hospital and Kirkuk general hospital in Kirkuk governorate for diabetic Mellitus patients of 5^th of October, 2011, up to the 27^th of March, 2012. A non-probability (purposive) sample of (100) definitely diagnosed with diabetic mellitus, selected of patients who were attended to Azadi Teaching Hospital and Kirkuk General Hospital in Kirkuk governorate. Developed questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study which consisted of three parts: the first part include the demographic data of the respondent, the second part consist six item to measure the attitude of respondent and the third part was contained (23) questions which assess the knowledge of the diabetic patients. The data were collected through the use of interview. They were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical analysis (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistical data analysis (chi-square).

Results: The findings of the study indicated that (36%) of the sample Age group were (50-59) year's old, (51%) were female, (49%) were illiterate, (42%) were house wives, (66%) were married, (47%) were barely sufficient monthly income and (75%) were of urban.

Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the samples had negative attitude about diabetic mellitus, most of the sample have inadequate knowledge about the disease, most of them have inadequate knowledge regarding the treatment of diabetic mellitus. Also the study concluded that there is a highly significant relationship between diabetic patient's age, gender and their knowledge.