An exploratory study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of sharp disposal among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Northern Peninsular Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: The use of exogenous insulin exposes the patients to sharps (insulin pen needles and lancets). Improper sharps disposal increases the risk of transmitting diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and other blood borne diseases. AIMS: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of sharp disposal among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the Northern Peninsular of Malaysia. METHODS: A self-administered, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at nine health clinics in the three Northern Peninsular Malaysia states. This study (NMRR-20-1757-56045 IIR) was approved by Medical Research and Ethics Committee, Malaysia. RESULTS: A total of 312 subjects were recruited in this study. The majority (46.15%) of the subjects had moderate knowledge regarding sharps disposal ranging from 60% to 70% of the knowledge score. The majority (59.60%) of the subjects had a positive attitude towards proper sharps disposal and 13.30% of the subjects had a strongly positive attitude. Sharps disposal practices among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were poor since only two subjects reported correctly disposing of their used sharps. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the majority of the subjects had moderate knowledge, a positive attitude and poor sharp disposal practice.

The rate of progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus to end stage renal disease - A single centred retrospective study from Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: In Malaysia, 61% of dialysis cases are secondary to diabetes. To date, we are still lacking of data on the rate of progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at nephrology unit of a tertiary hospital in Kedah. All diabetic ESRD patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified and recruited for analysis. RESULTS: The mean duration of DM to ESRD was found to be 14.37 ±â€¯4.42 years. Mean duration for the onset of diabetic nephropathy was 8.73 ±â€¯3.37 years. There was a relative short duration from diabetic nephropathy to ESRD noted, which was 5.63 ±â€¯2.06 years. The mean duration of DM to ESRD for patients receiving RAAS blocker was found to be 18.23 ±â€¯2.38 years as compared to 11.41 ±â€¯2.94 years for those who did not (95% CI: -0.64 to -2.46). For different type of RAAS blockers, namely ACE inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), there was no significant difference observed pertaining to mean duration of DM to ESRD; 17.89 ±â€¯1.97 years for ACEi and 19.00 ±â€¯4.16 years for ARB (95% CI: -4.74 to 2.52). DISCUSSION: Time frame from diabetic nephropathy to ESRF among Malaysian population was shorter as compared to findings from other countries with an average period of 15 to 25 years. RAAS blockers should be initiated early in diabetic patients.