Knowledge, attitudes and practices of persons with type 2 diabetes in a rural community: phase I of the community-based Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Program in San Juan, Batangas, Philippines.
OBJECTIVE
1. To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of persons with type 2 diabetes in the rural community of San Juan, Batangas, Philippines. 2. To determine the association between patient factors such as age, sex, duration of diabetes, and type of diabetes on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding diabetes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytic study done among persons with type 2 diabetes in the rural community. Participants were selected using stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected using two main methods: use of investigator-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs).


RESULTS
156 diabetic residents were included. The overall mean percentage score on knowledge was 43%. Less than half of the respondents strongly believed in the need for patient autonomy (38%). 35 respondents were included in the FGDs. Only 4 out of 35 diabetic respondents owned a glucose meter while only 16 out of the 35 consult their doctors on a regular basis.


CONCLUSIONS
The study comprises Phase I of the proposed 5-year community-based DSME Program in the Philippines. It highlights the importance of evaluating knowledge, attitudes and practices as crucial means to understand observed behaviors and guide behavioral change.
Ardeňa
Gregory Joseph Ryan A
GJ
University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital, Philippines. gregmd2002@yahoo.com
Paz-Pacheco
Elizabeth
E
Jimeno
Cecilia A
CA
Lantion-Ang
Frances Lina
FL
Paterno
Elizabeth
E
Juban
Noel
N
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010679:Philippines; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care