Publication:

Predictors of diabetes-specific knowledge and attitude among people residing in the urban settlement of Jodhpur

Background Diabetes has progressively increased in India and around the world over the last quarter-century, with India accounting for a significant portion of the worldwide burden. Researches show that diabetes mellitus related complications can be reduced by early diagnosis of the disease and appropriate treatment. This study aimed to investigate diabetes-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in adults in the high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups in families of Jodhpur and to create awareness among the community about diabetes.

Methods With the use of an adequately constructed and validated questionnaire, the current cross-sectional study was conducted on the general population of Rajasthan. The questionnaire was pre-tested and pre-validated. The data were statistically analysed using SPSS.

Results There were 53.3% males and 46.8% females who were enrolled in the study. The mean knowledge score was 8.82±3.467 and the mean attitude score was 3.62±1.439. Respondents who were educated at least till high secondary or above were significantly more knowledgeable and with more attitude scores as compared to people who were either illiterate or educated only up to secondary.

Conclusions We discovered a reasonable gap between knowledge, attitudes, and practices, thus formulating and implementing strategies to transform positive attitudes into helpful practices is the need of the hour.