A survey of elderly diabetic patients attending a community clinic in HongKong

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on Chinese diabetic patients attendi ng a community clinic in Hong Kong. A questionnaire, physical examination a nd blood tests were administered. Of 155 adults with diabetes mellitus recr uited, the mean age was 63 years (SD 10.3), 77.4% were female and 41.9% ill iterate. Half the patients achieved adequate knowledge scores. Knowledge wa s found to be associated with education level (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.8, 10.0), l onger disease duration (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4, 7.4) and complications (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1, 0.8). No correlation was found between knowledge and attitude or practice. Attitude was found to be associated with practice (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.3) and male gender (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1, 7.5); practice was assoc iated with hypertension (0.5, 95% CI 0.2, 0.9), Older less educated Chinese diabetic patients can be educated about diabetes management, but knowledge does not always translate into practice. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.