Diabetic patients; awareness about life style modifications

ABSTRACT

To assess awareness about the role of lifestyle changes in the management of diabetes among diabetics. Diabetic clinics of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Kidney Centre. Karachi. From April 7, 2008 to August 31, 2008. Cross Sectional. Convenient. Sample Size 200 diabetic patients. A total of 200 diabetics were interviewed. Their mean age was 48.8 years. Of these 92 [46%] were males and 108 [54%] were females. Diabetes was under control of 38% and 57% were taking regular treatment. Education sessions were attended by only 11%, counseling for lifestyle modification was done with 16%, 30% followed diet chart and 18% of the study participants were doing regular / irregular exercise. Majority of them [68%] needed social and family support to cop up the disease. There was a lack of awareness about the role of lifestyle changes in the management of diabetes among these diabetic patients. There is a need of health education programs for diabetics and general public