DIABETES KNOWLEDGE AMONG SELF REPORTED DIABETIC FEMALE TEACHERS: AL-KHOBAR, SAUDI ARABIA

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the general knowledge of diabetes among female diabetic school teachers in Al-Khobar, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 91 female diabetic school teachers were interviewed in the School Health Clinic in Al-Khobar using a structured questionnaire. Their weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. RESULTS: The results showed that understanding of diabetes was inadequate. Knowledge about symptoms of hypoglycemia was low. One-fourth (25%) of the sample of this study was using certain herbs for the treatment or management of diabetes mellitus. About three- fourths were overweight and obese. The results showed a deficiency of knowledge on the general aspects of diabetes mellitus. An appropriate educational material was prepared in the form leaflets, lectures and workshops. CONCLUSION: This paper concludes that awareness and education about diabetes are needed urgently among the studied sample.