Attitudes and self-care behavior of patients with type 2 diabetes attending the emergency department at Hamad general hospital

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a public health problem and optimal glycemic control requires diligent daily self-management reduce morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and its complications. By means of a carefully designed questionnaire, 215 patients with Type 2 diabetes who were admitted to the Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital during the period from 1 May 2008 to 31 August 2008 were selected randomly and interviewed to determine their attitudes and behaviors influencing effective glycemic control and the extent to which they were helped by education and advice from care providers. The mean +/- SD of both the total diabetes attitudes with subscales, and the self-care behaviors were measured in addition to the mean +/- SD of both hemoglobin A1 c, and the number of admissions to the emergency department over the proceeding six months. Participants reported the highest performance following a specific diet which had the highest significant negative correlation [r=-0.1 81, p=0.009] with hemoglobin A1 c as compared with the other self-care behaviors. The study emphasized the importance of improving the attitude of Type-2 diabetics and their self-care behaviors because of the association with Emergency Department Admission and Glycemic Control. An appropriate educational approach and follow-up taking into account individual patient characteristics, needs to be implemented