Knowledge of self-care among type 2 diabetes patients in Hospital Seberang Jaya

Research background: Uncontrolled blood glucose in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is known to cause devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases and lower limb amputation. Patient-driven self-care activities performed outside of clinic settings are essential to achieve good glycaemic control. To date, the extent of diabetes self-care knowledge among patients attending Hospital Seberang Jaya remains scare.

Objective: The study aim is (1) To assess level of self-care knowledge among T2DM patients attending endocrinology clinic at Hospital Seberang Jaya. (2) To explores factors contributing to level of self-care knowledge among T2DM patients. (3) To determine the relationship of self-care knowledge with glycaemic control among T2DM patients.

Methodology: Cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling method was employed. Pre-validated questionnaires were distributed to patients waiting at outpatient pharmacy department. Respondents’ total knowledge scores were calculated based on correct responses provided with more than 70% determined to be high self-care knowledge. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test or Spearman’s rho correlation test was used to explore factors affecting diabetes self-care knowledge scores.

Result: Majority patients have high knowledge level with majority of respondents (84.7%) scored a high (70% or over) overall self-care knowledge. The most difficults thing in managing their own disease been reviews through the patient option statement was the medication taking, diabetes self-care knowledge scores were significantly different with gender (p = 0.011), treatment with insulin injection (p = 0.024), education level (p = 0.004) and whether respondents had previously attended diabetes counselling (p = 0.001). We also observed significant correlation of knowledge scores with age (r = -1.48, p = 0.032) and duration of having diabetes (r = -1.97, p = 0.04). Accordingly, female patients were found to have better knowledge score [Median (Md) = 24] compared to male. Respondents’ education level showed those from university/college scored highest knowledge score [Median (Md) = 25). Respondents that recently has not treated with insulin injection were found to have better