title: A survey of elderly diabetic patients attending a community clinic in Hong Kong.
abstract: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on Chinese diabetic patients attending a community clinic in Hong Kong. A questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests were administered. Of 155 adults with diabetes mellitus recruited, the mean age was 63 years (SD 10.3), 77.4% were female and 41.9% illiterate. Half the patients achieved adequate knowledge scores. Knowledge was found to be associated with education level (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.8, 10.0), longer disease duration (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4, 7.4) and complications (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1, 0.8). No correlation was found between knowledge and attitude or practice. Attitude was found to be associated with practice (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.3) and male gender (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1, 7.5); practice was associated with hypertension (0.5, 95% CI 0.2, 0.9). Older less educated Chinese diabetic patients can be educated about diabetes management, but knowledge does not always translate into practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lek Yuen Health Centre, 4/F, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: T'ang
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors