Public knowledge and awareness of diabetes mellitus, its risk factors, complications, and prevention methods among adults in Poland-A 2022 nationwide cross-sectional survey

Diabetes Knowledge and Self-Care Practices Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Uvira, Kiliba, Sange, and Luvungi, South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and self-care practices about diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Uvira, Kiliba, Sange, and Luvungi (U-KI-SA-LU), South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 328 T2DM patients (179 men and 149 women) in U-KI-SA-LU, South Kivu Province of DRC from February 1 to April 30, 2024. Data were collected using pretested questionnaires and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and F statistic for the analysis of variance test with value of P < .05 as the level of statistical significance.ResultsOf the 328 participants, 188 (57.4%) had good general knowledge about DM; only 149 (45.4%) had good self-care practices about DM. Being married, having higher education, and being on insulin injection were associated with good knowledge; only being married was associated with good self-care practices toward DM. Surprisingly, 167 (50.9%) of the participants never had an eye examination, only 51 (15.5%) ate fruits for 3 or more days over the past 7 days, and 77 (23.5%) had access to a personal glucometer.ConclusionsStructured educational programs are needed to improve DM knowledge and self-care practices in order to slow down the progression of DM and prevent complications. These results also suggest raising awareness about health care professionals' role in DM management through not only continuing education programs but also traditional media, including print advertising, television, radio, and newspapers.

Impact of health awareness on myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Health awareness plays a major role in determining the outcomes of serious medical conditions especially when response time is crucial. STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) patients are prone to serious compilations if they do not receive the appropriate treatment on time. Many factors affect the health awareness of the community, including educational level, previous exposure to similar situations, and exposure to health awareness materials. Those who do not know the symptoms of myocardial infarction will present late to the hospital and are exposed to a higher risk of complications. This study aims to assess the relationship between the health awareness of STEMI patients and the time of presentation to the emergency room (ER).

METHODS

A cohort observational study was conducted at the National Heart Institute in Egypt gathering data on 263 STEMI patients presenting for primary percutaneous intervention. All the demographic and clinical necessary data was collected by the researchers in the emergency room, catheterization lab, and during the hospital admission of the patient. This study is a part of our larger cohort study on the relationship between education/health awareness of patients and outcomes of myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

Data from 166 eligible patients were analyzed showing a significant correlation between health awareness and time of presentation to the ER in STEMI patients (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant correlation between educational level and time of presentation to the ER (p < 0.05). The mean time from chest pain to arrival at the ER was 9.5 h. That is far beyond the range recommended internationally. Males, smokers, and younger age patients were significantly more likely to present earlier than their counterparts (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both educational level and health awareness of cardiac symptoms are associated with early presentation to the ER in STEMI patients. Developing health awareness activities targeting various population groups regarding cardiac symptoms and how to deal with them and including health education in different educational curricula are recommended.

Assessment of the Awareness of Risk Factors and Current Behavior Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is compounded by serious complications, including cardiovascular and microvascular diseases, with significant healthcare costs associated with these complications. Engaging in self-care practices can enhance glycemic control and empower individuals to make informed health decisions. The present study aims to assess the existing levels of awareness and understanding of diabetes, focusing on the perception of its risk factors and associated complications. Methodology This prospective, cross-sectional study involved 2,468 individuals with T2DM recruited from 26 sites across India. Data underwent aggregate-level analysis using Python and were assessed for statistical significance using the chi-square test. Continuous variables (means and standard deviations) were analyzed, and differences among groups were evaluated using analysis of variance. To assess the understanding of diabetes, including its symptoms and complications, all knowledge-related questions were aggregated into a composite score. Participants were categorized into three groups (high, medium, and low) based on their knowledge levels. The participant's variables across five dimensions, namely, diabetes causes and symptoms, medication usage, diet and lifestyle, hypoglycemia, and complications from diabetes, were assessed. The highest achievable score was 26, while the lowest was 0. Based on the knowledge score, individuals were classified into the following three groups: high for participants who scored 80% or more correct answers (score >20); medium for those scoring between 40% and 80% (score between 11 and 20); and low for participants with a score between 0 and 10, indicating fewer than 40% correct responses. Results The average participant age was 54.1 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 60:40. The average hemoglobin A1c level was 8.2%, with 629 (28%) maintaining levels within the target range (≤7%), and 497 (22%) having levels above 9%. Overall, 655 (26.50%) individuals were classified as high knowledge, 1,179 (47.77%) as medium knowledge, and 634 (25.68%) as low knowledge. Scores were 22.4 (1.2) for high knowledge, 15.9 (2.9) for medium, and 6.2 (3.0) for low. Diabetic complications were significantly higher in the high-knowledge group. Adherence to diabetes medication was higher in the high (509 (78.5%)) and medium (917 (81.6%)) knowledge groups (p < 0.001) compared to the low (363 (60.3%)) knowledge group. Participants with high and medium knowledge levels demonstrated significantly greater ownership and use of glucometers compared to those with lower knowledge levels. Conclusions Individuals with T2DM who experience complications tend to have a greater understanding of diabetes and its risk factors than those without complications. This suggests that facing health issues motivates individuals to seek information, improving their knowledge and influencing better medication adherence and lifestyle choices. The findings of this study, coupled with existing data, underscore the urgent need for innovative approaches to engage and motivate individuals through targeted educational initiatives, comprehensive counseling, regular monitoring, and strategies to improve adherence to recommended diabetes management practices.

Developing and standardizing a tool to assess the health education needs of diabetic patients at Jazan Armed Forces Hospital

BACKGROUND

Determining the health educational needs of people living with diabetes is essential in developing patient-centered, structured health education programs that aim to improve the outcome of diabetes care.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a tool for the identification of the health education needs of individuals living with diabetes in the Jazan Armed Forces Hospital (JAFH) and to standardize the questionnaire through the assessment of its reliability and validity.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used in the present work, which included 303 participants living with diabetes. The researchers and an expert panel in family medicine and endocrinology created a comprehensive and mutually exhaustive questionnaire covering every potential area of health education needs. It included a 15-item section with questions on a 5-point Likert scale for determining the participants' needs for health education. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the Likert scale's reliability. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the Likert scale's construct validity.

RESULTS

The total number of males was 123 (40.6%) and that of females was 180 (59.4%). Their mean ages were 55.9 ± 12.9, ranging from 18 to 94 years. The reliability of the 15-item Likert scale was 83%, and it increased to 90% when the redundant items (n = 5) were eliminated. The test had an 86% test-retest reliability when repeated. Also, the final 10-item Likert scale has significant face, content, and construct validity. Two components with eigenvalues over 1 (generic knowledge about diabetes, and diabetes and travel) could be extracted out of the 10-item Likert scale.

CONCLUSION

The final 10-item Likert scale offers a good degree of validity and reliability for determining the health education needs of individuals living with diabetes. The two Likert scale components (general information on diabetes, and diabetes and travel) and their contributing items were identified from the questionnaire, which is standardized and helpful in both practice and research, in order to ascertain patients' needs and develop structured health education programs. The component "General information about diabetes" exhibited significant associations with the following items: diabetes risk factors and prevention; common oral agents for treating hypoglycemia; HbA1c (glycosylated hemoglobin) and normal blood glucose levels; and acute problems related to diabetes, such as hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. On the other hand, diabetes and fasting; chronic complications of diabetes; and the significance of the yearly eye screening were the Likert scale items that contributed more to Component 2 (diabetes and travel).

Examining the growing challenge: Prevalence of diabetes in young adults (Review)

Diabetes is rapidly spreading worldwide, affecting millions of individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of its complications. The present review discusses the complex subject of diabetes, including the type 1 and type 2 variants. Geographical and population differences highlight the importance of targeted therapies and personalized management strategies. Ongoing research aims to identify the causes and treatment strategies for this disease. Preventive interventions, lifestyle changes and public awareness campaigns are all vital components of diabetes management. Collaboration between the general public and health departments is essential for effective prevention. Early intervention and global management strategies are necessary to reduce the significant impact on healthcare systems. A comprehensive plan from health care departments is required to address the issues caused by diabetes and minimize its effects on individuals and communities worldwide. The present review outlines specific measures which can be used to combat the spread of diabetes for a healthier future world.

Beyond Blood Sugar: Low Awareness of Kidney Disease among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Dalmatia-Insights from the First Open Public Call

Background and Objectives: Kidney disease (KD) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with adverse outcomes of renal failure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and awareness of the KD among the DM type 2 (T2DM) patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Hospital of Split between November and December of 2023 during an open call for DM patients. For each participant, blood and urine samples, along with relevant medical information, were collected, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MeDi) was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Service Score (MDSS). Furthermore, blood pressure was measured, along with body composition and anthropometric parameters. Results: Of 252 T2DM patients with a median age of 67 years (IQR: 60-73), 130 (51.6%) were women. The median duration of T2DM was 10 years (IQR: 6-20). Despite the fact that 80.95% of total participants reported receiving dietary guidelines from any source, only 53.2% reported adhering to the suggested instructions, while according to the MDSS, only 7.2% adhered to the MeDi. The median body mass index was 27.6 kg/m2 (24.2-31), with 70.1% of participants overweight or obese. Only 6% of participants believed they had KD, but after blood and urine sample analysis, 31% were found to have KD. Conclusions: This study highlights a significant gap in awareness of KD, low adherence to MeDi, and a high prevalence of obesity among T2DM patients. Due to the increasing number of T2DM patients, it is crucial to improve healthy lifestyle education and make modifications within this group, as well as perform regular screening for KD and medical check-ups.

Knowledge and Awareness of Type 2 Diabetes Complications in Conflict-Affected Regions: A Cross-Sectional Study in Homs, Syria

Background Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health problem characterized by high blood sugar levels due to either a lack of insulin or insensitivity to it. Concerns about diabetes complications are growing both globally and locally, making effective preventive measures crucial to tackle these complications. This research aimed to determine the level of knowledge and awareness regarding type 2 diabetes complications among patients in Homs, Syria, during the ongoing conflict. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1016 diabetic patients aged 16 years and above attending internal medicine and diabetes clinics in Homs City through a structured questionnaire administered via social media, telephone interviews, and paper forms. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic characteristics. In contrast, inferential statistics such as the chi-square test were used to test for associations between different variables with p-value < 0.05 as the significance level. Results The study found that 478 (47.1%) of participants were male, and 538 (53%) were female. The majority 652 (64.2%) were between 46 and 70 years old, and 422 (41.5%) had primary-level education. Most were married 750 (73.8%) and lived in urban areas 856 (84.2%). Diabetes knowledge varied significantly by age, education, occupation, and residence. Housewives and those with lower education levels had the least knowledge, while urban residents and those with 1-5 years since diagnosis had better awareness. Individuals with relatives in the medical field had higher knowledge levels. Results indicate that gender did not significantly influence diabetes knowledge (p = 0.19), while younger adults showed poorer awareness compared to older age groups (p < 0.05). Higher education levels were associated with better knowledge (p < 0.05), and a family history of diabetes correlated with greater awareness of complications. Occupation significantly impacted knowledge, with employed individuals and urban residents demonstrating higher awareness levels (p < 0.05). Diabetes knowledge peaked during the 6-10 year disease duration (p < 0.05). Conclusion This study assesses diabetes knowledge and management practices among 1016 participants in Homs, Syria, focusing on demographic and socioeconomic factors. Our findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve diabetes management, particularly among younger, less educated, and rural populations in Homs. The analysis reveals significant knowledge gaps about diabetes across different demographics in Homs, highlighting the need for targeted educational programs, especially for younger individuals, the less educated, and rural residents. The study emphasizes the importance of education and medical practice in understanding diabetes, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

A systematic review on the level of risk perception of diabetes mellitus: The role of environmental factor

BACKGROUND

Risk perception plays important role in motivating preventive health behaviours. The objective of this systematic review was to explore the level of diabetes risk perception among individuals with and without apparent risk for diabetes, and to consider the effect of environmental factors on the level of diabetes risk perception.

METHODS

This systematic review was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The literature search was carried out through PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Original articles written in English and published between 2013 and 2023 were considered. Study quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Narrative synthesis was undertaken due to methodological heterogeneity in the included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 13 cross-sectional studies, two randomized controlled trials, two cohort studies, two mixed methods studies and one quasi-experiment with a control group were included. An overall low level of diabetes risk perception was reported particularly in those without apparent risk for diabetes. The 20 included studies reported widely varied measures for calculating diabetes risk perception. The influence of environmental factors on the risk perception of diabetes was highlighted.

LIMITATIONS

The use of study-specific and non-validated measures in the included studies weakens the authors' ability to compare across studies. The role of language and publication bias within this systematic review should be acknowledged as we included only English-language studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Another limitation is the exclusion of dimensions of risk perception such as optimistic bias as search terms.

CONCLUSION

The overall low risk perception of diabetes calls for urgent need of public health interventions to increase the risk perception of diabetes. In the future, researchers should ensure the validity and reliability of the measures being used. The influence of environmental factors on the diabetes risk perception indicates that diabetes preventive interventions targeting environmental factors may be effective in increasing the risk perception of diabetes.

Public Expectations and Needs Related to Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Poland

Objective: This study aimed to understand the public's expectations regarding type 2 diabetes prevention and to identify factors associated with willingness to participate in preventive activities among adults in Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) on a representative sample of 1,046 adults in Poland. A non-probability quota sampling method was used. A study tool was a self-prepared questionnaire. Results: Most respondents (77.3%) declared willingness to participate in preventive activities. Consultation with a diabetologist (75.1%) or family doctor consultation (74.9%) were the most often selected. Lifestyle interventions in the form of dietary and culinary workshops (58.1%) were the least chosen. Having higher education (OR = 3.83, 1.64-8.94, p = 0.002), chronic diseases (OR = 1.36, 1.01-1.85, p = 0.04), and a history of diabetes in the family (OR = 1.67, 1.21-2.30, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with a higher interest in type 2 diabetes prevention. Conclusion: The adults in Poland are keen on participating in diabetes prevention programs, mostly those based on medical counselling rather than lifestyle-oriented interventions. Educational level was the most important factor associated with willingness to participate in type 2 diabetes prevention.

Evaluating the comprehension and accuracy of ChatGPT's responses to diabetes-related questions in Urdu compared to English

Introduction

Patients with diabetes require healthcare and information that are accurate and extensive. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT herald the capacity to provide such exhaustive data. To determine (a) the comprehensiveness of ChatGPT's responses in Urdu to diabetes-related questions and (b) the accuracy of ChatGPT's Urdu responses when compared to its English responses.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Two reviewers experienced in internal medicine and endocrinology graded 53 Urdu and English responses on diabetes knowledge, lifestyle, and prevention. A senior reviewer resolved discrepancies. Responses were assessed for comprehension and accuracy, then compared to English.

Results

Among the Urdu responses generated, only two of 53 (3.8%) questions were graded as comprehensive, and five of 53 (9.4%) were graded as correct but inadequate. We found that 25 of 53 (47.2%) questions were graded as mixed with correct and incorrect/outdated data, the most significant proportion of responses being graded as such. When considering the comparison of response scale grading the comparative accuracy of Urdu and English responses, no Urdu response (0.0%) was considered to have more accuracy than English. Most of the Urdu responses were found to have an accuracy less than that of English, an overwhelming majority of 49 of 53 (92.5%) responses.

Conclusion

We found that although the ability to retrieve such information about diabetes is impressive, it can merely be used as an adjunct instead of a solitary source of information. Further work must be done to optimize Urdu responses in medical contexts to approximate the boundless potential it heralds.

Knowledge and Attitude of School Students About Diabetes Mellitus in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide public health issue. Diabetes has been developing dramatically among young individuals, and childhood onset is now becoming a global epidemic. Data on DM knowledge and attitude among Saudi school pupils in the western region of the country are few. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to assess the level of knowledge and attitude of school students toward DM in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 850 school students in the western region of Saudi Arabia from October to December 2022. The data were collected using an online questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) (version 23.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY).

RESULTS

This study included 850 pupils in total. Females represented most of them (82.1%). The participants' ages ranged from 10 to 18 years, with the majority of them between the ages of 16 and 18. Self-reported diabetes among students was 9.5%, and the most prevalent type was type 1 diabetes. Regarding the physical activity of the participants, 22.6% of them conduct physical exercise for a duration of more than 30 minutes per day, with a significantly higher percentage among non-diabetics, while 34.6% of the diabetics do not exceed 20 minutes of daily exercise, with a P value of 0.017. School students showed a lack of information about symptoms and complications of DM where only diabetics could mention them when compared with non-diabetic students, with P values of <0.001 for each of them. Diabetic students listed DM risk factors, such as genetics, obesity, and smoking, more frequently than non-diabetics; the corresponding P values were 0.004, 0.001, and 0.041. Unfortunately, more than 32% of diabetic students had the misconception that DM is not a controllable disease. According to the majority of diabetic students, soft drinks raise blood sugar levels. The Internet was the main source of information about DM.

CONCLUSION

The school students' understanding of DM was generally suboptimal. Their understanding of the symptoms, effects, and management of diabetes was low. Most school students in this cohort perceived that DM could not be controlled. Given the high rate of self-reported diabetes in the western region of Saudi Arabia, it is strongly advised to educate children about DM at an early age. Every student at school should adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise, and they should be closely observed by their teachers and parents. Family physicians should regularly check the adherence of diabetic children to their antidiabetic medications and ensure this important point with their caregivers. Psychological assessment and counseling are highly recommended for all diabetic children.

Association of Subjective Sleep Pattern with Self-reported Diabetes in China

There is limited research investigating the relationship between self-reported diabetes mellitus and subjective sleep patterns. Our study aims to explore this association by analyzing trends in a cohort study conducted in China using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey longitudinal research (CHNS). We used multilevel logistic regression models to analyze the relationship. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of self- reported diabetes in China increased from 1.10% in 2004 to 3.36% in 2015, with an increase in the prevalence of short-term sleep from 7.03-10.24%. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes increased with increasing BMI levels (Normal and below: 0.67-2.16%, Overweight: 1.58-4.35%, Obesity: 2.68-6.57%, p < 0.01). The short-term sleep subgroup had the highest prevalence (2.14-5.64%). Additionally, we found significant associations between age, education level, ethnicity, coffee, smoking, drinking and the self-reported diabetes. Interestingly, the risk ratios for self-reported diabetes differed between sleep durations. With 6-8hours as the reference group, the risk ratios for self-reported diabetes in the short-term, and long-term sleep subgroups were 1.80 (95% CI: 1.23-2.63), and 1.41 (95%CI: 1.01-1.96), respectively. Raising awareness about the impact of irregular sleep duration on diabetes risk is essential, and these initiatives may serve as effective policies for diabetes control.

Effect of Human Adenovirus 36 on Response to Metformin Monotherapy in Obese Mexican Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study

Human adenovirus 36 (HAdV-36) has been associated with obesity and changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. The virus has been reported to increase insulin sensitivity and paradoxically promote weight gain. Because of its effects on metabolism, infection with the virus could alter the response to several drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes (DM2), such as metformin. The aim of this study was to test whether HAdV-36 affects the response to metformin in a group of obese patients with DM2.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 103 obese patients with newly diagnosed DM2 were divided into two groups based on their HAdV-36 seropositivity (+HAdV-36 and -HAdV-36). Weight, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist and hip circumference were measured and compared in both groups at baseline and after 45 days of metformin treatment.

RESULTS

Only glucose was significantly lower in the +HAdV-36 group at baseline, while all other variables were similar between the two study groups. After 45 days of follow-up, it was observed that the effect of metformin did not differ between the groups, but the variables improved significantly after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we did not find that HAdV-36 had an effect on the response to metformin in obese patients with DM2.