Investigating Information Needs of Saudi Diabetic Patients

摘要

Background: Studies have shown that newly diagnosed diabetic patients need a lot of informationabout medical examinations, checkups, tests and precautions for its control besides its disastrouseffects on heart, kidneys, eyes, foot and nerves. Patients in Saudi Arabia are generally not awareof most of the information they may need which is one the major reasons for its increasing number ofpatients. Past studies conducted are based on clinical data of hospitals and healthcare centers only discussedits effects.Methods: Present research was conducted through a survey questionnaire in the Arabic language fromType 1 and Type 2 patients to establish if they knew about this disease and its criticality in the day today activities and were they being provided sufficient information about its requirements. Data forcheckups, tests, management by food and nutrition and physical activity education were collected forthis purpose. Approximately 25 female and 33 male patients reported that diabetes affected theirday to day activities.Results: Analysis of results showed that awareness of importance of tests including blood glucoselevel test HbA1c was only among 50 patients, 51 Type 1 did not have cholesterol test, 31 Type 1and 16 Type 2 never had eye test, 97 Type 1 and 60 Type 2 were unaware of barefoot examination,34 Type 1 and 70 Type 2 never went to a dietician to ascertain their nutrition needs, 24Type 2 did not know importance of exercise for diabetes control.Conclusion: It was concluded that Saudi patients suffering from diabetes seriously lacked informationabout its monitoring, control and treatment in form of tests to be conducted and requirements of dietcontrol and physical activities. Therefore, a national level awareness campaign for providing this informationcould be considered as a key requirement.