Misconceptions about diabetes mellitus among diabetes patients: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle-related painless disease. India has the highest diabetes burden in the world and is called as the “Diabetic Capital of the world.” Even though the disease is so rampant, there are ample misconceptions about diabetes and this has become a hurdle in effective management and control of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the urban health center among 200 diabetics. Patients were asked about their belief in misconceptions regarding diet, exercise, treatment-seeking behavior, and self-care of diabetes. RESULTS: From a total of 200 participants, 112 (56%) were females. Majority 183 (91.5%) were self-monitoring their blood glucose. More than half of the participants were on oral hypoglycemic drugs. In this study factors such as low educational status, participants staying in joint family, low socioeconomic class, participants on oral hypoglycemic drugs, participants on both oral hypoglycemic drugs and insulin, participants on herbal treatment had more prevailing misconceptions regarding diabetes. CONCLUSION: There were many prevailing misconceptions among the diabetic patients, especially related to diet, treatment, and self-care. Regular health education programs regarding misconceptions can change the attitude of diabetic patients and improve their compliance toward treatment.