Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour Towards Diabetes Mellitus Among Diabetic Patients at Ndola Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is among the non-communicable diseases with high morbidity and mortality in Zambia and worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge levels about Diabetes Mellitus, establish attitudes and behaviors towards Diabetes Mellitus among the Diabetic patients. METHOD: The study was a cross sectional study that was conducted at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Ndola, Zambia. Random probability sampling was used. The statistical tests used in the analysis of the data were SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: 194 respondents took part in the study giving a response rate of 91.1%.Overall: in terms of knowledge depth, 57(29.4%) had poor knowledge and 137(70.6%) had good knowledge on the various aspects of diabetes. Attitudes; 104(53.6%) had positive and 90(46.4%) had negative attitudes respectively. Furthermore in terms of behaviors’ towards diabetes, 120(61.9%) participants had good behavior and 74(38.1%) had bad behavior towards diabetes respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that diabetic patients both in and out patients at Ndola Teaching Hospital do not have much knowledge about various aspects of DM. Hence there is need for patient information, education and communication about diabetes through health education and promotion, not limited to the hospital but also within the general population, as part of the strategies to prevent, manage and control Diabetes mellitus.