Knowledge and Self-Management Practice Among Diabetic Patients from the Urban Areas in Bangladesh

Md. Jubayer Hossain¹, Syeda Tasneem Towhid^1,2* , Sumona Akter¹ , Muhibullah Shahjahan¹, Tilottoma Roy¹, Bithi Akter¹, Tanjum Ahmed Nodee¹

Abstract

This study aims to determine the knowledge of self-management, prognosis, and the quality of daily life among adult patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in Bangladesh. Settings and Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from April  2021 to August 2021 on diabetic patients from Dhaka City and Rangpur City in Bangladesh. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents of this study. The data was collected via a phone interview by the researchers of this study. The data was analyzed using Python (Version 3.8), Pandas, ResearchPy (A Python package for research data analysis), and Microsoft Excel 2019. We found that 85% of the participants were aware of Bangladesh National Diabetes Management Guidelines and its recommendations, and males were better informed about diabetes and its management than females. Most participants (68.32%) experienced an onset of diabetic symptoms around 50-60 years of age, and 34.65% of participants were unaware of the type of diabetes they had. 91% were satisfied with the prognosis of their diabetes. However, the frequency of check-ups for hyperglycemia from serum was insufficient (less than once annually) despite the national guidelines’ recommendation for quarterly check-ups. Participants were more eager to check for diabetes-associated symptoms (more than 3 times a year among 80.53%) rather than checking the serum hyperglycemia. Female participants were lenient to take physical exercise to self-manage diabetes.  The healthcare centers across Bangladesh need to make the information provided by Bangladesh National Diabetes Management Guidelines more reader-friendly for all socio-economic groups. Broader movements are needed to make patients feel more interested to learning, practicing, and following the guidelines.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Diabetes; Knowledge; Public Health Concern; Self-Management

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