Socio-demographic determinants of the knowledge of diabetes mellitus in Onitsha-North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The main objective of the study was to determine the level of knowledge of diabetes mellitus in relation to its causes, symptoms,  diagnosis, complications, treatment modalities and risk factors. Civil  servants were chosen for this study because they are prone to sedentary lifestyles.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was done. The study  population comprised employees of Onitsha-North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. The instrument used for the collection of data was self-administered pre-tested questionnaire. A total of 150 copies were  distributed and 143 were returned and analyzed. The data were presented in frequency tables and analyzed using Fisherfs Exact Tests and logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p-value .0.05.
Results: The result indicated that subjects aged 21.30years were more  likely to have poor knowledge of diabetes mellitus compared to subjects of age groups 41.50years (p<0.05) and .51years (p<0.05). Similarly, subjects who earned N5,000 were at greater odds for poor knowledge compared to those who earned N20,000 (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The study showed that there was good general knowledge of diabetes mellitus. About half of the respondents knew that lack of exercise and obesity were risk factors for developing the disease and higher income and increased age were associated with better knowledge. The authors  recommended among other things that health education be given to the populace on the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Adults, civil servants, health education, preventive