Clinical profile, knowledge, and beliefs about diabetes among patients attending a Tertiary Health Centre in Lagos: A cross‑sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes affects 347 million people worldwide; more than 80% of the affected live in low‑ or middle‑income countries. Patients’ beliefs about their medical conditions are important in helping physician focus on beliefs that needed to be changed or reinforced. The overall aim of this study was to improve the standard of care of patients with diabetes.

Methods: The study designed was a cross‑sectional survey; adults with diabetes attending diabetic clinic of LASUTH took part in the survey. Participants were asked to fill a structured questionnaire which was used to assess clinical patterns, beliefs, and practice about diabetes.

Results: One hundred and fifty patients with diabetes took part in the study. This study showed that more females presented with diabetes compared with males, type 2 diabetes is commonerthan type 1 and there is a highassociation of the disease with hypertension or being overweight. More than half of the participants do not know the cause of diabetes, 13% believed that disease is curable, and 30% admitted to use alternative medications in addition to the anti‑diabetic medications prescribed by the physicians.

Conclusion: Knowing patients’ beliefs and knowledge about diabetes is important to impart overall care for them. Health education about a disease should be planned to address beliefs and knowledge of patients about their medical condition to address misinformation and misconceptions about their disease conditions.

Keywords: Belief, diabetes, health education, Nigeria, practice