Taking oral hypoglycemic medicines increases odds of diabetes knowledge among Obgomoso diabetic patients

A cross-sectional study conducted in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, examined misconceptions and myths about diabetes mellitus among individuals with the illness. Participants were recruited from LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Diabetic Clinic, totalling 101 individuals of an average age of approximately 60.6 years old. The frequency of responses to misconception statements addressing causes of the disease, diet, treatment and management, and insulin were tabulated.

The findings demonstrated that collectively, diabetes knowledge among participants was adequate. 50.5% of the patients agreed that consumption of sugar causes diabetes, and 27.7% cited that diabetes is not a serious disease. There was consensus among close to 90% of patients that diabetic patients required a special diabetic diet. About 61% were unsure whether insulin is addictive. The strongest predictor of overall diabetes knowledge was treatment via oral hypoglycemic medicines, which increased the odds of good knowledge by 9.2 times. For detailed information about this research, click here.