Knowledge and perception of diabetes among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending rural health care centre, Tamil Nadu, India -

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most serious public health problems in 21st century. One of the reasons for the poor outcome in diabetic individuals is the lack of involvement and awareness about the complications of the disease. The participation of the patient with the knowledge is the key success factor in treatment and prevention of complications in diabetes mellitus. Objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge and perception about diabetes among patients with diabetes mellitus, attending Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Vayalanallur. Methods:  A hospital based, Cross sectional study was conducted to assess the awareness about complications of diabetes among patients with type 2 diabetes, attending RHTC in Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted in NCD clinic, RHTC, during the month of September 2015. Forty three participants gave written consent and they were included. The study was conducted using a questionnaire through one-to-one interview. Results: Knowledge about the causes of diabetes mellitus-81.4%, symptoms-83.7%, accurate method of checking sugars-76.7%, correct frequency of checking sugars-95.3%, taking medications regularly- 95.3%, organs affected - 69.8%, modification in dietary pattern-72.1%  and 93% believe that doing moderate physical exercise will helps in controlling diabetes but only 32.6% were doing it regularly. Conclusions:  Knowledge about diabetes is fair but still their practice on control of glycemic levels needs to be improved. This shows that there is a decisive need for health education programme for patients in order to prevent or postpone the complications of diabetes mellitus.