TITLE:
Assessing Knowledge of Hypoglycemia Symptoms among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Using Insulin, Khartoum, Sudan
AUTHORS:
Abdelhaleem Mustafa Madani, Asma Noureldaim Mahmoud, Hisham Mohammed Abdelrahim, Tarig Mohammed El-Hadiyah, Abubakr Khidir Yousif
KEYWORDS:
Hypoglycemia Symptoms, Knowledge, Type 2 Diabetes, Insulin-Users, Sudan
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
17,
2019
ABSTRACT: Background: Hypoglycemia is a
traumatic dilemma that has a critical impact on not only the patient’s quality
of life but also their families and communities. Improving Patient’s awareness
and knowledge regarding hypoglycemia symptoms is
crucial to avoid serious implications like loss of consciousness and even
death. Objective: This study aimed to assess patients’ knowledge of
hypoglycemia symptoms and source of diabetes information among insulin users
type 2 diabetes. Methods: A single centre, hospital-based, analytical, and cross-sectional study was carried out among diabetic patients using
insulin attended to Ribat University Hospital Diabetes Clinic (RUHDC), Khartoum
State, Sudan during a period of study. A validated questionnaire was used to
obtain socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and the patients’
knowledge regarding hypoglycemia symptoms was assessed whether good, medium or poor. Data were analyzed, using (SPSS). Descriptive (frequencies) and inferential
statistics (association used chi-square) were used at a level of confidence p ≤
0.05. Results: A majority of patients
(52%) had poor knowledge of hypoglycemia symptoms
and the common symptoms known to patients were hands tremor (67.2%), blurred
vision (52.8%) and sweating (65.6%). No associations were found among hypoglycemia symptoms knowledge, socio-demographic and diabetes
duration. Only (25.6%) had regular visiting to educating center and physicians
were the major source of diabetes knowledge (74.4%). Conclusion: This
study proved low patients hypoglycemia symptoms knowledge and physician were
the main sources of information about diabetes at RUHDC. Further ideas are
required in collaboration and integrated approach to filling the gap of
patients’ awareness and multidisciplinary team in diabetes management.