Knowledge and Practice Healthcare of Diabetic Patients InTha Phra sub-District, Muang Khon kaen District, KhonKaen Province.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine knowledge and healthcare practice of diabetic patients In Tha Phra sub-district, Muang Khon Kaen district, Khon Kaen province. Samples were 132 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes. Data were collected by questionnaires from March to April 2017 and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results revealed that most of participants were female (81.5%), aged over 60 (46.6%), married (74.9%), finishing primary school (80.1%), farmers (65.1%), getting diabetes less than 5 years (47.9%) and having Fasting Blood Sugar 101-150 mg% (65.1%). The overall knowledge of those with diabetes was at high level (86.9%). All participants (100%) known about: 1) the main symptoms of diabetes were frequent urination and increased thirst; 2) diabetes mellitus can cause eye problem or blind; 3) diabetes mellitus can cause leg amputation; 4) diet control and exercise were necessary for diabetic patients; and 5) having continuous treatment and control with health personnel was beneficial for complication control. The overall practice of healthcare was regular (31.1%) which most of them: 1) took a rest 6-8 hour a day (97.0%); kept the body clean (96.9%); and 3) did not overeating (94.8%). However, the activities that the participant did not practice including: 1) forgetting to take drugs in the morning, do not take double in the evening (92.1%); 2) smoking and alcohol drinking (89.9%); and 3) putting on brogues with bluff shape and shoelaces (88.0%). It could be concluded that diabetes control is based on several elements, in particular knowledge and healthcare practice of diabetic patients. If the diabetic patients have their knowledge and good practice regularly, they would control their diabetes more effectively.