Assessment of knowledge among caregivers of diabetic patients in insulin dosage regimen and administration.

backgroundInadequate production of Insulin can lead to a complex metabolic disorder named Diabetes Mellitus that is characterized by hyperglycaemia. Diabetes is leading metabolic disease that causes major disability and increased death-rate world-wide. Diabetes can cause neuropathy, blindness, ischaemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, increased risk of stroke, and renal diseases. Since the management of diabetes mellitus is complex, the reliance of some patients on their caregivers has increased. In this study, a caregiver is a family member or a paid helper who is willing to provide long-term assistance to a child, an older adult, or a person with a disability.

aimThe knowledge of caregivers about insulin doses (administration and adjustment) is determined and to study the correlation between the demographic data (age, gender, and marital status) and the knowledge of caregivers. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross sectional type of descriptive study. A questionnaire was built based on literature review and was reviewed and validated by 17 arbitrators and modified accordingly. A pilot study was performed on 5 people of the targeted population to assess the feasibility, duration, and clarity of the data collection tool. The questionnaire was distributed online and had some extra questions to exclude non-relevant responses.

resultsA total of 819 participants filled the online questionnaire. Out of these, 83.6% were female and 16.4% were male. The good knowledge was significantly associated with caregivers who had patients diagnosed with diabetes since less than 6 months when compared with others.

conclusionCaregivers who reported that they do not live with the healthcare receiver had less knowledge compared with those they live, and it is statically significant association. 55% were satisfied with their level of knowledge about insulin doses management. This study indicates who lives with patient has caregiver's knowledge on inulin dosages administration 1.766 times from who don't have.