Knowledge and practice of insulin-self-injection among diabetic patients

Better management of diabetes among insulin-self-injectors requires determining level of their knowledge on insulin-therapy. Our study aimed to assess knowledge and practice of Tunisian diabetic-patients regarding insulin-self-injecting. It was a cross-sectional study using investigator-administered-questionnaires among insulin self-injecting diabetic patients attending a Tunisian Endocrinology department on April 2021. Information regarding knowledge and practices relating to injection Technik were assessed by the insulin Injection-Technique-Questionnaire (ITQ). A total of 96 patients were included among whom 59 cases were females (61.5%). There were 38 patients (39.6%) aged over 56 years. Median insulin seniority was 10 years; IQR = [5–20] years and the number of injections per day was 2.1 ± 0.4. There were 84 patients (87.5%) claimed to rotate injections’ site. Of whom, 54 cases (56.2%) described correctly the rotation and 35 cases (36.5%) were found by nurses to be rotating correctly. For disinfection, alcohol disinfection of insulin syringe was untamed in 45 cases (46.9%) and alcohol skin disinfection in 80 cases (83.3%). Twenty-two patients (23%) respected condition of warmed insulin to room temperature before injection. Patients were asked to inject insulin behind an expert nurse, a skin fold was realized in 74 injectors (77.1%), among whom 63 patients (85.1%) realized it correctly while 38 (51.3%) patients relaxed skin after removing the needle. Needle entry at an angle of 45 degree was respected by 33 patients (34.2%). Skipping insulin injection was assessed in 69 patients (72%) among whom 22 patients (31.8%) skipped their injection more than 5 times a week. Poor level of knowledge and practice of insulin injection was observed. Thus, healthcare-providers should pay more attention to therapeutic education on insulin treatment.