Levels of health awareness in diabetic patients during Ramadan 2015: Focus group discussion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A qualitative study was carried out to explore the health status of people with diabetes during Ramadan. Fifteen patients participated in two focus group discussions. Most respondents reported lack of knowledge regarding their own conditions and do not follow the medical advice of not fasting during Ramadan. Barriers facing the patients seeking healthcare before and during Ramadan were the atmosphere, long distances to facilities, monthly appointments, and monthly prescribed medication. All respondents agreed on the importance of physical activity but their opinions varied on how to conduct it. Regarding the services, most respondents were unsatisfied due to the lack of health services provided in addition to the shortage of essential medication or laboratory investigations. Others blamed primary healthcare-center staff for the delay in laboratory investigation results and the unavailability of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Respondents also claimed that self-check glucometer measurements are not as accurate as laboratory results. Doctors may be able to educate patients regarding the effects of fasting with diabetes whereas religious leaders may influence individuals to follow doctors’ advice. Evaluation of the quality of healthcare services is necessary to identify defects in health services in order to ameliorate service quality, including availability of drugs and glucometers in pharmacies, and laboratory investigations, including HbA1c, to meet patient satisfaction.