Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Of Diabetic Patients And Their Families Regarding Different Aspects Of The Disease In Rural Areas In Dakahlia Governorate

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.Subjects and methods;The study was conducted among 46 patients and 108 of their relatives attending the family medicine unit of EL-Baramna village, Sherbin in Dakahlia governorate to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of the diabetic patients and their relatives concerning understanding of different aspects of the disease. Subjects were interviewed after an oral consent and the pre-constructed questionnaires were filled. The data were statically analyzed by using the program of EPI-INFO 6.Results:There was inadequate knowledge level and unfavourable attitudes and practices towards diabetes.Conclusion:The level of knowledge is better with patients who are lower in age, male, literate, obese and married. The level of knowledge was increasing with higher level of education and lower age of the relatives. Generally, low level of knowledge and unsatisfactory attitudes and practices were present among the study diabetic patients and relatives. The study recommends to strengthening the role of family health care services of family units in diabetes management.Key words: Diabetes, diabetes knowledge and control, health education, self-care management..