ASSESSMENT OF DIABETES EDUCATION IN THE TEACHING HOSPITAL, ADDIS-ABABA, ETHIOPIA

With the aim of assessing continuing diabetes education and obtaining baseline information, we have evaluated the knowledge of 139 randomly selected diabetic patients from the Diabetes Clinic of Tikur Anbessa T eaching Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Seventy-five Type 1 (insulin- dependent) and 64 Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, wi th a mean age of 36 +/- 14 (+/- SD) (range 15-78, median 36) years, an d mean duration of known diabetes 6.3 +/- 5.5 (range 1-30, median 5) y ears participated in the study. Knowledge was assessed by a questionna ire which examined three principal areas: general knowledge on diabete s mellitus, diet plus self care, and chronic complications. Twenty-eig ht 920.1 %), did not attend any and 59 (42.5 %) attended the diabetes education programme more than once. The Adjusted Percentage Score (APS CORE) was 69 +/- 1.4 (SEM). Type 1 diabetic patients had a significant ly higher score (p < 0.001) for overall knowledge when compared to Typ e 2 patients. In both groups the knowledge on chronic complications wa s very poor when compared to the other areas (p < 0.001). No sex diffe rence in knowledge was seen. Higher school and diabetes education atte ndance had a significant influence on the knowledge of diabetes. Howev er, better knowledge about diabetes was not associated with better gly caemic control as measured by the fasting blood glucose concentration. The wide difference in knowledge, the low rate of attendance at diabe tes education sessions, and the very low awareness about chronic compl ications is very worrying. To achieve the intended aim the diabetes ed ucation programme needs to be revised.