Lack of knowledge about hypoglycemia among adult patients with diabetes in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Background: Hypoglycemia has a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. This study aimed to assess knowledge of adult patients with diabetes on hypoglycemia and its management. Methods: A cross-sectional study using a newly developed self-administered questionnaire was conducted from April to May 2017, at National Guard Primary Health Care Centers, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Simple descriptive statistics were used. Inferential statistics was performed in the form of Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA. Regarding knowledge questions, a score of (1) was given to the right answer, and summation of scores was computed (the total score was 42). Knowledge scores were categorized into good, moderate, and poor based on the mean score. Results: A total of 361 adult patients with diabetes were involved (208 (57.6%) women; 153 (42.4%)). The majority (341; 94.5%) were Type 2 diabetes patients. Mean knowledge score was 32.0 (±8.2), and a score of ≥31.5 represented good knowledge, while a score between 21 and 31.5 represented a moderate level of knowledge, and a score below 21 represented poor knowledge. The majority (92.2%) had poor level of knowledge. Factors associated with better knowledge were male sex, younger age, being a student, or holding a bachelor degree, being single, receiving high monthly income, Type 1 diabetes, and having previous hypoglycemia experience. Regarding hypoglycemia management, 66.8% identified the right management, which was “eating 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.” Conclusion: Most participants showed poor knowledge regarding hypoglycemia. More efforts and time should be made during regular visits to provide the necessary health education about hypoglycemia signs for all patients with diabetes.