Knowledge regarding diabetic complications among diabetic clients attending outpatient department in a tertiary hospital, Kathmandu

Abstract

Diabetes, a known medical problem for more than two millennia, provokes complication in many parts of body and increase risk of premature death. Prevalence of diabetes is steadily increasing everywhere, most markedly in the world's low and middle- income countries. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a devastating disease but complications of Diabetes Mellitus can be prevented or delayed through proper awareness and preventive measures. The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with main objective to find out knowledge regarding diabetic complications among diabetic clients. Using non - probability purposive sampling method, 100 diabetic clients attending medical Out Patient Department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) were selected and data was collected using pretested semi - structured interview schedule. Findings of the study revealed that almost all (90%) respondents had knowledge on major symptoms of hyperglycemia and 82% knew about its immediate management. Regarding hypoglycemia two third (66%) had knowledge on major symptoms of hypoglycemia whereas almost all (92%) had knowledge on its immediate management. Almost all respondents (95%) knew diabetics have increased risk of loss of vision whereas only 13% knew about increase risk of nerve damage. The study showed significant association between knowledge level and educational status (p=0.000), economic status (p=0.008), and participation in diabetes counseling (p=0.005). Based on the findings, it was concluded that respondents' knowledge regarding DM complication is above average. However, there is need of health education on warning symptoms of diabetes complications and their preventive measures. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, knowledge, diabetes complications.