[Disease knowledge among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending primary care].
OBJECTIVE
assess disease knowledge among a patient population.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study in two health care centers belonging to the National Institute of Social Security (ISSSTE). A general knowledge questionnaire was applied to 141 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chi-square tests to compare demographic variables with knowledge level were used. Alpha was set at p < 0.05.


RESULTS
29.2% of participants scored correct answers and only 12.3% were fully knowledgeable. The highest percentage (42.4%) of correct knowledge was related to levels of blood glucose. There was no association between appropriate metabolical control among patients and disease knowledge. Being younger, having higher education and less than 10 years with the disease generated higher levels of knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge levels among the studied population are low and similar to the results from the literature. Demographic characteristics such as age and education are associated with changes in degree of knowledge. Patient educational programs are a fundamental component of a comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention.
Avilés
Alberto González-Pedraza
AG
Departamento de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F., México. albemari@correo.unam.mx
Alvara-Solís
Estela Patricia
EP
Martínez-Vázquez
Ricardo
R
Ponce-Rosas
Raúl Efrén
RE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires