Knowledge, attitude and practices of Qatari patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Patient compliance with their medications and their ability for self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing cause of concern to healthcare providers. Knowledge about diabetes, attitude towards the condition and time management with respect to the condition (practice), collectively known as KAP, are known to affect compliance and play an important part in diabetes management. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, practice and psychological status of adult Qatari patients with T2DM, and to explore the interaction between these and other patient-related factors which could impact on the ability of the patients to manage their diabetes and to achieve desirable health outcomes.

Methods: A questionnaire (the Diabetes Habits and Beliefs Questionnaire, DHBQ) was used to investigate the level and relationship between knowledge, attitude, general practice and psychological status of patients with T2DM. The data was collected in face-to-face interviews with patients visiting the diabetic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Qatar during the period January 2008 to March 2009.

Key Findings: There were significant differences in attitude and knowledge between educational levels. Knowledge and attitude were highly correlated and the psychological status of the patient was positively associated with both knowledge and attitude. There was generally poor practice of regularly inspecting feet to detect signs of neuropathy, taking medication in relation to meals, modifying doses when necessary and setting goals for therapy.

Conclusions: The data provided can assist pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners in tailoring educational programmes aimed at improving diabetes control.