title: Assessment of Factors Related to the Understanding of Education and Knowledge of Self-Care among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Prospective Study.
abstract: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and self-care practices of diabetes patients and to assess the contribution of the education to this knowledge level and glycemic control.
  
  
  
  We formed patient groups consisting of 15-30 diabetic patients. First, patients were surveyed using a diabetes self-care knowledge questionnaire (DSCKQ-30). Sunsequently, a standard PowerPoint presentation about diabetes self-management was made to the patients who were then surveyed again using DSCKQ-30. All patients were invited to hospital to measure their control glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level 3 months later.
  
  
  
  Of the total 364 participants, 62.9% were females. Significant increases in the percentage of correct responses were determined in all components between, before and after education. There was a significant decline of 1.1 in HbA1c levels after 3 months of education. Married or active working patients had a better understanding of the education about diabetes and had a greater knowledge of self-care management regardless of their level of education or income.
  
  
  
  Education about diabetes can significantly improve knowledge of self-care management and can help in achieving glycemic control. Continuing education about self-care management and complications is crucial and this should be accompanied by a regular assessment of pateients' diabetic knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, 38010, Kayseri, Turkey. osdizdar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oguzhan Sıtkı
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Dizdar
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Uludag University Medical School, 16059, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozen Oz
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, 38010, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baspınar
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, 16059, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Soner
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cander
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Uludag University Medical School, 16059, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sisman
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, 38010, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Baki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eker
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Uludag University Medical School, 16059, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ersoy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Education; Knowledge; Questionnaire