Evaluation of the Role of Twitter in Increasing the Awareness and Knowledge about Diabetes Among Citizens of Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The objective of this research was to evaluate the role of Twitter in increasing the awareness and knowledge of diabetes among citizens of Saudi Arabia. Methods: In this research we used a purposive sampling method and carried out a quantitative experimental study design. The participants were adults Twitter users from Saudi Arabia that had relative diabetic patients. The sample size was 200 participants, which were divided into an intervention and a control group. Each group consisted of 100 participants. The intervention group was recruited through Twitter, and the control group was recruited through WhatsApp. Data were analyzed and interpreted using statistical techniques, such as paired t-test, the simple t-test and the ANOVA. Results: The mean diabetes knowledge test (DKT) score of the intervention group was Mean=13.57, SD= 3.46. After the intervention process, the mean (M) increased to 17.06 and the standard deviation (SD) decreased to 2.35. According to these outcomes, the paired t-test showed that the use of Twitter had an influence on increasing diabetes awareness. Instead, for the control group, the mean (M) was 13.68, and the standard deviation (SD) was 3.72 at the baseline. During the study process, the mean (M) of the control group increased to 14 and the standard deviation (SD) augmented to 3.59. Then, according to the paired t-test, we concluded that in the control group, there was no effect on the participants’ knowledge. Conclusion: The results suggested that Twitter had a positive impact on increasing awareness and diabetes knowledge among adult Twitter users in Saudi Arabia.

Exploring the knowledge and awareness of diabetes mellitus among inhabitants of Ho Municipality in Ghana: A cross-sectional study

One of the fast-growing major non-communicable diseases (NCD) that poses a danger to global public health is Diabetes mellitus (DM). Trends in the incidence of DM indicate a disproportionate increase in developing countries due to current rapid demographic transitions from traditional to more westernized and urbanized lifestyles. Knowledge of DM is vital for curbing or control. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of DM among the Ho municipality general population, identify areas of deficiency for targeted health education efforts, and identify respondent characteristics that may be associated with knowledge of diabetes. A survey involving 132 respondents (age over 18 years) was conducted in the Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. A 42-item pre-tested questionnaire was administered to participants to evaluate general and specific knowledge and awareness of DM. The Pairwise Multiple Comparison and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to test the hypotheses and associations between the respondents’ knowledge level and groups respectively. Of the 132 respondents, 22% were in the age range of 40-46 years; 72.7% were female. Mean over all diabetes knowledge composite score was poor: 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Respondents performed best in the symptoms section: mean score was 36.247% (CI; 29.0, 43.4); and worst in the section on complications: mean score was 30.909% (CI; 23.6, 38.2). In multiple linear regression analyses, education level, older age, own self having diabetes, and having a family member/relative/friend with diabetes were significantly associated with knowledge of diabetes. Knowledge of diabetes among the inhabitants of Ho municipality respondents was interpreted as being inadequate 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Some deficient portions and factors associated with knowledge of diabetes were identified. Relevant information for targeted health education programs in Ghana and beyond may be considered as one of such benefits of these findings.

Diabetes Knowledge: What Do College Students Know

This study investigates students' knowledge about diabetes, with a focus on academic disciplines and gender. Data were collected from 218 students enrolled at a large public university. Descriptive statistics were employed, and factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. The results showed that, while participants seemed to have some knowledge about diabetes, they generally lacked specific content information about the disease. Female students outperformed male students in diabetes knowledge. Rehabilitation counselor educators can offer an invaluable service by covering the topic of diabetes in their courses and curricula. They can consider incorporating specific information about diabetes that can better prepare students as rehabilitation counseling professionals and informed citizens, while ensuring that male and female students have the same level of diabetes knowledge.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diabetes Knowledge among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Southeast Asia

OBJECTIVE: Recognition of patient baseline knowledge is important in educating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) to manage their disease effectively. The purpose of this study is to review current evidence on the level of diabetes knowledge among T2D patients and determine factors affecting their knowledge. METHODS: A systematic search of English language articles published between 1990 and June 2019 was conducted using six electronic databases. Only quantitative studies that assessed knowledge of T2D patients in Southeast Asian countries were included. Data were extracted and a meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 6210 articles were retrieved; seven articles met the inclusion criteria, comprising 1,749 T2D patients. The calculated mean knowledge score was 55.6% (95% CI: 7.6 to 103.6). Five types of assessment tools were identified ranging from five to 41 questions that focused on disease specifics, treatment, and nutrition. Age, education level, and glycemic control were the most common factors impacting knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge among T2D patients in Southeast Asia was unsatisfactory, especially in older patients with low education levels and poor glycemic control. Hence, an appropriate educational plan should be prioritized to these groups.

Impact of the South Asian Adolescent Diabetes Awareness Program (SAADAP) on diabetes knowledge, risk perception and health behaviour

Objective: Evidence suggests the increased prevalence of diabetes among South Asian (SA) adolescents is due to their genetic risk profile. The South Asian Adolescent Diabetes Awareness Program (SAADAP) is a pilot intervention for SA youth in Canada with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We sought to investigate changes in (1) diabetes knowledge and associated risk factors, (2) risk perception and (3) health behaviours among adolescents participating in SAADAP. Design: One-group pre-test, post-test design informed by a commitment to community-based participatory research (CBPR). Setting: Sixty-eight adolescents aged 13–17 years with a family history of T2DM participated in SAADAP in a clinical-community setting in Canada. Method: Pre–post questionnaires were administered to evaluate diabetes knowledge and associated risk factors, risk perceptions and health behaviours. Analyses were restricted to 49 participants who attended at least four diabetes education sessions. Results: The mean age of adolescents was 14.5 years, and 57.1% self-identified as girls. The difference in knowledge about the definition, symptoms and complications of T2DM from baseline to post-intervention was 3.32 out of 21 ( p < .001) among SA youth. There was significant increase in learning about diabetes risk factors ( p < .001) from baseline to post-intervention. Almost 60% of participants exhibited no change in their risk perception after intervention. Approximately two-thirds of the participants self-reported positive changes in health behaviours after completing the programme. Conclusion: SAADAP showed promising outcomes in raising knowledge and improving health behaviours in SA adolescents with a family history of diabetes. Larger controlled trials with longer follow-up are recommended to support and expand on the current findings.

Avaliação do conhecimento e do autocuidado de pacientes diabéticos portadores de doenças infecciosas

Objetivo: avaliar o conhecimento e autocuidado dos pacientes diabéticos portadores de doenças infecciosas. Métodos: foi realizado estudo seccional com uma amostra de conveniência de pacientes, em uma unidade de saúde no Rio de Janeiro, com aplicação dos questionários Diabetes Knowledge Scale Questionnaire, Summary of Diabetes Self Care Activities Questionnaire e da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar versão reduzida. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Instituição, e todos os pacientes assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Resultados: foram incluídos 50 participantes, com idade média de 60,8 ± 10,0 anos, sendo a maioria (60%) do gênero feminino, da cor da pele não branca (64%) com diagnóstico de HIV/AIDS (44%) ou doença de Chagas (38%). Metade da amostra apresentou conhecimento suficiente acerca do diabetes, e a pontuação média foi de 8,02. A média de adesão ao autocuidado foi de 4,9 dias, e a situação de insegurança alimentar foi evidenciada em 62% dos pacientes. Conclusão: neste estudo, foram evidenciados um conhecimento limítrofe, uma baixa adesão às atitudes de autocuidado e uma alta prevalência de segurança alimentar, mostrando a importância de inclusão de aspectos socioeconômicos e psicoemocionais no planejamento de ações educativas interdisciplinares para gestão do diabetes.

Effect of Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) with and without Motivational Interviewing (MI) on Glycemic Control among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that is difficult to control. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative style of communication that was designed to strengthen a person’s motivation and commitment to change and improve. We hypothesized that applying MI to diabetes care would lead to improved glycemic control and improved diabetes self-care behavior. Methods: Subjects were T1DM patients aged 10-18 years with HbA1C ≥8% that were recruited from the Outpatient Diabetes Clinic during October 2016 - March 2017. Subjects were randomized into the diabetes self-management education (DSME) or DSME plus MI groups. HbA1C levels, diabetes knowledge test, and diabetes self-care behavioral questionnaire were performed. Results: Thirty-five patients (17 DSME, 18 DSME + MI) completed the study. Baseline HbA1C was not significantly different between groups. At the end of the study, HbA1C levels were not significantly different within or between groups. From pre-intervention to post-intervention, diabetes knowledge scores were significantly increased, and self-care behavioral scores were significantly increased for dietary control and medical taking. Transition to the stages of change action stage was increased from 0 to 12 persons. Conclusions: The effectiveness of MI on glycemic control was not found to be statistically significant at 6 months. However, continuation of DSME in T1DM patients is necessary for improving diabetes knowledge and care. Further study in a larger sample size with longer duration of MI and follow-up is needed to conclusively establish the value of MI on glycemic control in pediatric T1DM.