Assess the knowledge regarding thyroid disorders among patients attending medical OPD

INTRODUCTION

“Every time you eat or drink, you either feeding your thyroid disease or fighting it.”

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland consisting of two lobes connected by an isthmus, in the neck. It is found in front of the neck below the Adams apple. Thyroid gland though a small structure on the anterior aspect of neck has many important functions to perform, failing in its duty might lead to serious consequences. Thyroid gland has been the target of interest because of its numerous metabolic, neoplastic and inflammatory aberrations.^1,2

The thyroid gland functions by producing, storing and releasing hormone into the bloodstream so the hormones can reach to the body cells.³ The thyroid gland takes up iodine from the food to make two main hormone: triiodothyronine (T₃) & thyroxin (T₄). Hormones T3 & T4 levels are neither too high or too low. The hypothalamus and the pituitary glands communicate to maintain T₃ & T₄ balance in the brain.⁴ The hypothalamus produces TSH & TRH that signals the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more T₃ & T₄ by either increasing or decreasing the release of a hormone called thyroid stimulating hormone. If any imbalance occurs in these hormones it can leads to thyroid disorders.⁵

A thyroid disease is a medical condition that affects the function of the thyroid gland. The symptoms of thyroid disease vary depending on the type. There are four general types; hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, structural abnormalities, most commonly an enlargement of the thyroid gland, and tumors which can be benign or cancerous.⁶

Thyroid diseases are occurring worldwide. In India too, there is a significant encumbrance of thyroid diseases.⁷ According to estimate from various studies on thyroid disorders, it has been estimated that about 42 million people in India suffering from thyroid disorders. Uttarakhand state of India is a part of Himalayan Foothills, where thyroid diseases are common.⁸

METHODS

Non-Experimental Descriptive Research Design, was used to assess the knowledge regarding thyroid disorders among patients attending medical OPD. Data was collected at Himalayan Hospital Jolly grant, Doiwala, Dehradun Uttarakhand from June 2018 to July 2018.

The sample size was 100 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria i.e. patients who were willing to participate and present at the time of data collection. Sample who were not willing, had psychological problems and not present at the time of data collection were excluded from the study. Sample size was calculated based on previous literature and Non probability purposive sampling was used.

An written permission was obtained from the ethics committee of SRHU, Principal of Himalayan college of Nursing, SRHU and HOD of Medical OPD.

After that Data was collected by using Structured knowledge questionnaire and data analysis was done by using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, median, mode & SD) and Inferential (qi-square method).

RESULTS

Sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants

Table 1 showed that half of the participants were in age group of below 35years. Half (53%) of participants were female and 47% of participants were male. Out of 100, 99 % participants were having formal education. 24% of participants were working in government sector, 32% of the participants were working in private sector, 27% of participants were housewife and 13% are self-employed. 74% of participants were married and 26% of participants were unmarried. 64% of participants were non-vegetarian and 36% are vegetarian. 78% of participants had social habits and 22% were not had social habits. 91% participants had previous knowledge about thyroid disorders, 79% of participants had no history of suffered/suffering from thyroid disease. 83% of participants had no family history of thyroid disease and 67% of participants had no history of medicine intake.

Df₁=3.84 at the level of p<0.05.

Knowledge regarding thyroid disorders

Table 2 Showed that the range of score was 16. The mean and standard deviation of knowledge score was 14.04 and 3.755 mean percentage for the knowledge score was 14.04%.

Association of knowledge score regarding thyroid disorders with selected demographic variables

Significant association found between knowledge score and selected variables such as social habits, previous knowledge regarding thyroid disorders, suffered or suffering from thyroid disorders, family history of thyroid disorders and medical history of any medicine intake.

DISCUSSION

The study evaluated the knowledge of patients regarding thyroid disorders. The range of score was 18, median was 14, mean value was 14.04, standard deviation was 3.755 and the total mean percentage was 14.04%. The findings of the study revealed that 42% of participants had good knowledge, 38% had average knowledge, 7% of participants had poor knowledge and 13% of participants had very good knowledge about thyroid disorders. The study outcome was supported by the cross-sectional study conducted by Rai et al to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding thyroid disorders among women of a cosmopolitan city in central India. The study revealed that Out of 250 females, 29.3% did not heard the word thyroid and only 49.20% knew about hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.⁹ The present study also supported by a cross-sectional study conducted by Sharma et al. Study was done to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding thyroid disorders among university students in Chandigarh. The study revealed that there was significant lacuna in the knowledge and awareness about the symptoms, factual statements, and fallacies associated with the thyroid disorder.¹⁰

The study findings revealed that there was significant association between knowledge score and selected variables such as social habits, previous knowledge regarding thyroid disorders, suffered or suffering from thyroid disorders, family history of thyroid disorders and medical history of any medicine intake. The study outcome was supported by the cross-sectional study conducted by Sharma et al which found Significant associations between gender and the previous levels of knowledge and awareness.¹⁰

This study also has several limitations, the sample size is relatively small and may not be representative of all hence, it is recommended to conduct further studies using larger sample size. And no interventions were being made in the study, only the knowledge of patients were assessed.

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that 42% of participants had good knowledge, 38% had average knowledge, 7% of participants had poor knowledge and 13% of participants had very good knowledge about thyroid disorders. Despite the limitations, the study highlighted the need for creating awareness regarding thyroid disorders. Community awareness activities, preventive and educational programmes are needed to improve the knowledge level among people. The study concluded that there are still some areas that needs to be improved.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the participants of the study.

Funding: No funding sources

Conflict of interest: None declared

Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee

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