Effect of diabetic education on the knowledge, attitude and practices of diabetic patients towards prevention of hypoglycemia

AIMS: To assess the role of diabetic education in increasing awareness about hypoglycemia and decreasing hypoglycemic symptoms in diabetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a longitudinal study involving the use of a structured questionnaire for obtaining baseline information related to knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of diabetic patients regarding hypoglycemia. Then the patients were given diabetic education by the treating doctor regarding hypoglycemia, its symptoms and prevention; the effect of which was assessed by repeating the same questionnaire after a month. The occurrence of hypoglycemic symptoms was also compared before and after diabetic education. RESULTS: There is a significant improvement in all parameters like KAP with diabetic education. The hypoglycemic episodes also decrease significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Proper diabetic education is seen to improve the knowledge and attitude of the diabetic patients toward hypoglycemia. This leads to improved practices of such patients and decrease hypoglycemic episodes in them.