Knowledge on Diabetes Mellitus
Most of the respondents 208(93.7%) had general knowledge about diabetes. Large proportion 196(88.3%) of the respondents were knowledgeable about the sign and symptoms of diabetes. Majority 207(93.2%) of them were knowledgeable about diabetes self care practices. Substantial proportion 170 (76.6%) reported that regular exercise increases blood glucose level. Less than half 93(41.9%) of them replied that not having breakfast after taking drug increases blood glucose level. Most of them 190(85.6%) answered that non adherence to medication increases blood glucose level.
Regarding knowledge about dietary intake showed that 220(99.1%) had knowledge about honey and simple sugar that have high glycemic index. Among six different types of food which is recommended for patients with diabetes (vegetables, cereals, rice, wheat and its products, potatoes and sweet potatoes, and fruits), 88(39.6%) replied that four of the food had high glycemic index. Less proportion 15(6.8%) of them answered that all the recommended food increase blood glucose level; whereas, only 5(2.3%) of the respondents agreed that all the six recommended food do not increase blood glucose level (Table 2).