A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Diabetes Mellitus Among Diabetic and Non Diabetic Patients Attending Medicine OPD in Ggsmch Hospital Faridkot, Punjab

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of chronic disorders of metabolism characterized by elevated blood glucose level and disturbances in metabolism of carbohydrate, fats and protein. Diabetes affects approximately 16 million people in the United States, and this number is expected to rise in the future. The majority of patients, approximately 1.4 million have type 1 diabetes and the remaining 14.5 million have 2 types diabetes. Aim: To assess the knowledge and attitude regarding Diabetes Mellitus among diabetic and non diabetic patients, and compare the knowledge and attitude regarding Diabetes Mellitus among diabetic and non diabetic patients. Method And Materials: A Comparative Descriptive research design was used Sample size of 100 diabetic and non diabetic patients (50 in diabetic mellitus and 50 in non diabetic mellitus) were selected through non probability convenient sampling technique. The study was conducted in GGSMCH hospital Faridkot, Punjab. Results: Data was collected through the self structured knowledge questionnaire and attitude scale. Discussion was based on statistical analysis in diabetic majority of diabetic study subjects 43(86%) had average knowledge followed by 4(8%) had poor knowledge and only 3(6%) had good knowledge. In non diabetic patients majority 25(50%) had average knowledge followed by 18(36%) had poor knowledge and only 7(14%) had good knowledge. 42(84%) had fair attitude whereas in diabetic study subjects and in non diabetic study subjects figure presents the 40(80%) poor attitude. The coefficient of correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes mellitus among diabetic patients is 0.22 and coefficient of correlation between knowledge and attitude regarding diabetes mellitus among non diabetic patients is 0.25. There was statistically significant (p=0.05) association between knowledge of diabetic patients with age, gender and marital status. There was no statistically significant (p=0.05) association between knowledge and Socio-demographic variables of the patient in non diabetic patients. Conclusion: There was statistically significant association between attitude and educational status among non diabetic patients. Recommendations: The study can be further recommended on large sample and using experimental research approach.