Awareness of complications of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients at Addis Zemen District Hospital, northwest Ethiopia

OBJECTIVES: Awareness about complications is important to reduce diabetes related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess awareness of diabetes complications and associated factors among type 2 diabetic patients. Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from April to June, 2019, using simple random sampling technique, and interviewer administered questionnaires. RESULTS: The mean age was 41 ± 1.46 years and 56% were females. Awareness regarding diabetic complications was 48.5% with 95% CI (43.3, 52.7%). Male sex (AOR: 4.67, 95% CI (2.53, 8.61)), age of 31–45 years (AOR: 7.30, 95% CI (3.10, 17.17)), 46–70 years old (AOR: 15.02, 95% CI (6.11, 36.92)), read and write (AOR: 3.79, 95% CI (1.78, 8.06)), primary school (AOR: 9.58, 95% CI (3.26, 28.18)), high school and above (AOR: 7.46, 95% CI (3.02, 18.44)), NGO employee (AOR: 7.24, 95% CI (2.68, 19.53)), having a family history of DM (AOR: 5.55, 95% CI (2.53, 12.20)); income of 1001–1500 (AOR: 3.22, 95% CI (1.28, 8.10)), 1501–2500 (AOR: 11.73, 95% CI (4.32, 31.81)) and > 2500 Ethiopian birr (AOR: 7.18, 95% CI (1.70, 30.28)) ≥ 2500 ETB (AOR: 7.18, 95% CI (1.70, 30.28)) were significantly associated with good awareness. To improve patient’s awareness on DM complications providing health education for type 2 diabetic patients is crucial.