A Comparative Study to Assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Cases of Recently Diagnosed Diabetes and Known Cases of Diabetes

A good knowledge of disease management is necessary in promoting health. Diabetes Mellitus is a major health problem with individual, social and economical consequences. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys are effective in providing a baseline for evaluating intervention programs. This is a comparative study to assess KAP among case of recently diagnosed diabetes and known case of diabetes. A cross-sectional survey comprising of 112 patients (56-recently diagnosed and 56-known cases) was conducted in Sri Ramachandra Hospital and volunteers from the community for a period of three months. A structured closed ended questionnaire for KAP on DM with demographic information was formulated. A pilot study was conducted to compute the scoring of adequate >75, moderately adequate 50-75, inadequate <50. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean age was 49.2±8.4 years and BMI 25.41±4.82 kg/m².Mean score of knowledge in known cases, 12±2, was comparatively higher than recently diagnosed diabetes (10±3). Mean score of attitude in known cases, 13±2, was comparatively higher than recently diagnosed diabetes (11±4). Mean score of attitude in known cases, 10±2, was comparatively higher than recently diagnosed diabetes (9±3). Significance was shown between both knowledge and socio- demographic data in the known cases and attitude practice with socio-demographic data in recently diagnosed diabetes. When KAP was compared between the two groups, known cases had a higher score. They had good knowledge and attitude but poor practices related to diabetes than recently diagnosed subjects.