Knowledge and Practices among Diabetic Clients regarding Cardiovascular Problems in a Rural Area

Abstract

Background: The development of all forms of large vessel disease is accelerated with type1 diabetes, and is often present at diagnosis in people with type2 diabetes. It is now well established that type2 diabetes is part of the metabolic or insulin resistance syndrome, which comprises hypertension, dyslipidemia, central adiposity, insulin resistance, diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, and cardiovascular disease. Aim: The study aims to assess the knowledge and practices among diabetic clients regarding cardiovascular problems in a rural area. Design: A descriptive study was used. Sampling: A purposive sample of 100 diabetic clients. Setting: This study was conducted at diabetic outpatient clinics at Kafr El sheikh General Hospital. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection. First tool: was an interviewing Questionnaire, this tool was divided into four parts for collecting data. Part one: It was concerned with data related to socio-demographic characteristics of the Diabetic Clients. Part two: It was concerned with the client's past and present health history as duration of illness, symptoms, investigations, and medications. Part three: It was concerned with clients' knowledge regarding diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular problems. Part four: Assessing diabetic clients' compliance to treatment regimen and follow up. Second tool: was Quality of life scale to assess Quality of life of diabetic clients through their practices regarding cardiovascular problems. Third tool: was Physical Examination Sheet it was used to assess general and specific health condition of diabetic client. Results: The results of this study indicated that, the majority of diabetic clients were females and their age ranged from 45- 50 years. Almost were illiterate. The highest portion their duration of diabetes were 4:5 years period. The minority of them had correctly done about practices for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia control. A large proportion of diabetic clients have poor knowledge and practices regarding diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular problems. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was no statistical significant association between socio-demographic characteristics of diabetic clients' knowledge and their practice, but there was a statistically significant relation between diabetic clients' practices to prevent cardiovascular problems and their compliance to follow up and treatment regimen, respectively at P >0.05. Recommendations: The study recommended that extensive health education and health promotion programs are recommended to prevent diabetic complications.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, Quality of life, Compliance, Knowledge and Practice.