Diabetes self-management and education of people living with diabetes: a survey in primary health care in Muscat Oman.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Oman is high and rising, information on how people were self-managing their disease has been lacking. The objective of this study was therefore to assess diabetes self-management and education (DSME) among people living with type 2 diabetes in Oman. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted in public primary health care centres in Muscat. Diabetes self-management and education was assessed by asking how patients recognized and responded to hypo- and hyperglycaemia, and if they had developed strategies to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Patients' demographic information, self-treatment behaviours, awareness of potential long-term complications, and attitudes concerning diabetes management were also recorded. Associations between these factors and diabetes self-management and education were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 309 patients were surveyed. A quarter (26%, n?=?83) were unaware how to recognize hypoglycaemia or respond to it (26%, n?=?81). Around half (49%, n?=?151), could not recognize hyperglycaemia and more than half could not respond to it (60%, n?=?184). Twelve percent (n?=?37) of the patients did not have any strategies to stabilize their blood glucose levels. Patients with formal education generally had more diabetes self-management and education than those without (p<0.001), as had patients with longer durations of diabetes (p<0.01). Self-monitoring of blood glucose was practiced by 38% (n?=?117) of the patients, and insulin was used by 22% (n?=?67), of which about one third independently adjusted dosages. Patients were most often aware of complications concerning loss of vision, renal failure and cardiac problems. Many patients desired further health education. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients displayed dangerous diabetes self-management and education knowledge gaps. The findings suggest a need for improving knowledge transfer to people living with diabetes in the Omani clinical setting.
SUBMITTER: Elliott JA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3579849 | biostudies-literature | 2013
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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