Level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards diabetes among nationals and long-term residents of Qatar: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the levels of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards diabetes among Qatar nationals and long-term residents and its association with participants’ selected demographics. SETTING: A cross-sectional study conducted in public areas in all the eight municipalities of Qatar from July to October 2018. PARTICIPANTS: 2400 participants from the general public (nationals and long-term residents) stratified by gender, age and nationality across all geographic locations in Qatar. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses were scored from 0% to 100% and KAP scores were classified as low (0%–49%), intermediate (50%–74%) or high (75%–100%). Analyses and comparisons were performed using descriptive statistics and χ(2) test at 5% level. RESULTS: Most participants (54%) had an intermediate overall KAP score, 43% had a low score and only 3% had a high score. The knowledge scores were the lowest among participants, 69% had low, 29% had intermediate and only 2% had high scores. Participants scored better in attitude and practice; the percentages of participants who scored high, intermediate and low were 32%, 55% and 13% for attitude, and 37%, 33% and 30% for practice, respectively. Except for age, level of knowledge significantly varied by gender, nationality and diabetes-related diagnosis (p<0.001); attitude and practice levels differed significantly in all four factors. Areas where participants were deficient include: diabetes types, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications, recommended daily exercise, normal fasting glucose level, preventive measures, management and control and understanding about complexity of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Participants generally have intermediate levels of positive attitudes and practices towards diabetes but low knowledge in diabetes-related factors. The data suggest that future communications should focus on educating the public and conduct mass campaigns about diabetes to improve knowledge especially targeting men and women, and both nationals and expatriates.