PATIENT EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR ENHANCED DIABETES MANAGEMENT: A CASE STUDY FROM CIVIL HOSPITAL, HYDERABAD, SINDH, PAKISTAN"

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is the most frequent disease globally, with 26.7% of adults affected in Pakistan in 2022. Factors contributing to this increase include lack of awareness, unhealthy diets, hypertension, and mental health issues. Despite the challenges, self-care plays a significant role in managing diabetes. Our study investigates health literacy and selfpractices among diabetic patients through criteria sampling in public hospitals of Hyderabad Sindh, and to provide guidelines about diet to make people aware of healthy choices in the future. The present study was conducted at a civil hospital. 110 patients were selected from civil hospitals in the months of August and September, which included 50 males and 60 females. The self-care practice was carried out by a questionnaire that consisted of demographic characteristics, self-care management practices, diabetic complications, and dietary management of patients. Among the total samples, the majority of patients with poor self-care practices were found to be unsatisfactory. The reasons are a lack of awareness, financial crises among affected patients, and low implementation. Almost 80 patients were taking medicines, and 40 patients were following self-care. The major complications were patients with the highest ratio of diabetic feet in males due to injury and carelessness and the highest ratio of obesity in females. For patients in civil hospitals, managing their health care has become essential. Our study findings showed that diabetic patients require implementation of self-care, eat unprocessed food like vegetables, fruits, and limit sugary items to maintain glycemic control, use herbal medicine, and exercise daily all these can take an active role in managing their self-care.