Diabetes knowledge - Are patients getting the message?

Diabetes knowledge in a multi-ethnic population was assessed in 161 insulin treated diabetic patients using a 21-point multiple choice questionnaire t ranslated into the appropriate languages. Our data showed a significant dif ference in diabetes knowledge related to ethnicity, being less in Asians an d Afro-Caribbeans groups compared to Caucasians. In all groups there was a negative correlation with age, with older adults achieving lower scores. Ge nder and duration of disease did not appear to influence knowledge scores. This information has implications for the way in which we deliver our diabe tes educational programme to ethnic minority groups and the elderly.