Relationship between Diabetes Education and Glycaemic Indicators of Patients in Diabetes Care Units at Three Hospitals, Khartoum State - Sudan

Background: Diabetes education could contribute to the control of glycaemic status of the patients. Objective: It was to identify the education received by the diabetic patients and its relationship to their glycaemic indicators in diabetic care units at three hospitals in Khartoum State.

Methods: A descriptive cross section study was carried out. A sample of 251 diabetic patients who attended for follow up was determined. An exit interview was carried out using a structured questionnaire. The patients` cards were reviewed for the most recent glycaemic indicators. Ethical clearance was obtained. Chi square test was used to test the association of the provided diabetic education with the glycaemic indicators of the patients.

Results: The females and males accounted to 67.7% and 32.3% respectively. Patients in the age group 35-65 years were 78.8% (141) and 77.3% (194) were literate. One hundred and ninety seven (78.5%) were either pensioners or housewives. Education on physical activity, diet control, blood glucose monitoring and foot care was received by77.7%, 86.9%, 12.4% and 45.8% of the patients respectively. Fasting blood sugar <=110 mg/dl, post prandial blood sugar <=180mg/dl and HBA1c < 7% were not significantly associated with receiving education, P-value > 0.05.

Conclusion: The association between receiving diabetes education and normal glycaemic indicators was insignificant.