Aamir Shahzad, Muhammad Ashraf Majrooh, Uzma Ashraf.
Diabetes mellitus: awareness of disease and life style changes in female patients.
J Allama Iqbal Med Coll Jan ;6(4):43-7.

Abstract Objective: To study the awareness about the disease and life style changes among the female diabetic patients Study design: Descriptive case series study Study setting: Study was conducted in Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi, which is a tertiary care hospital affiliated with Foundation Medical College. The hospital caters to the medical care of ex-army personnel and their families. Methods: Total 100 patients, diagnosed as type II diabetics and were being treated from the last 6 months, were included in the study through convenience sampling from the follow-up OPD and indoor. The patients were interviewed through semi-structured pre-tested proforma and the result were analyzed through SPSS and presented in unvaried tabulation. Results: Nearly 50% (95% CI, 39.9 to 60 %) of the patients had absolutely no idea of the cause/symptoms of their illness. About 35% stated polyuria and weakness as the cardinal symptoms of disease. About 65% (95% CI, 54.7 to 74%) believed the importance of dietary modifications in the form of reducing of refined sugars, 27% (95% CI, 18.8 to 36.9%) knew that along with refined sugars total calories also need to be curtailed. None of them had any ideas of importance of reduction of fat or substitution of unsaturated fats. When they were asked about exercise, only 39% (95% CI, 29.5 to 49.2%) knew the benefits of a regular exercise and only 26% (95% CI, 17.9 to 35.9%) tried to follow a regular exercise program. Forty four patients were on insulin and of these 28 (63%) could not inject themselves. Conclusion: The level of self-awareness among the diabetic patients was extremely low that indicates the dire need of health education and counseling program at follow-up and OPD of the health care facilities.

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