Diabetes knowledge and its determinants in a Mexican population.
The purpose of this study was to measure the level of diabetes knowledge in a representative group of Mexican individuals with diabetes and to identify the factors that influence it.



A validated questionnaire was administered to 570 outpatients; 11.2% had Type 1 diabetes, 36.4% had Type 2 diabetes treated with insulin, and 52.2% had Type 2 diabetes treated with oral agents. Samples for HbA1c determination also were obtained.



The percentage of correct answers in each section of the questionnaire was low. Type 1 patients had the highest scores, followed by the insulin-treated Type 2 patients; those with chronic complications also had high scores. Educational background, attendance at diabetes courses, age, and HbA1c concentration were the main predictors of knowledge. Attendance at courses was influenced by the severity of the disease.



The amount of patient knowledge about diabetes-related issues was low in this representative Mexican population. The educational efforts were focused on those with the worst metabolic control and/or with diabetes complications.
Bautista-Martinez
S
S
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Aguilar-Salinas
C A
CA
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Lerman
I
I
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Velasco
M L
ML
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Castellanos
R
R
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Zenteno
E
E
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Guillen
L E
LE
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Murcio
R
R
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Wong
B
B
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Gómez Pérez
F J
FJ
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
Rull-Rodrigo
J A
JA
The Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism, National Institute of Nutrition Salvador Zubrian (INNSZ), Mexico City, Mexico
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin