Knowledge, attitude and practice of self-administered insulin by diabetes mellitus patients: A cross sectional study

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome secondary to defects in insulin secretion, action, or both. India is emerging as the world's diabetic capital. Inadequate awareness about the use of insulin is likely to influence its acceptance and adherence. To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of self-administered insulin by patients of diabetes mellitus. It was a cross-sectional study conducted by the department of pharmacology at a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of six months at the medicine outpatient department. A prevalidated questionnaire was used to assess the KAP of insulin use. Informed consent was obtained from the patients prior to giving them a questionnaire. Among the 151 responses, 58 were male and 93 were female. Among them, 66% knew about different types of insulin, and 32% knew about different insulin delivery devices. Around 40% of patients were not aware of HbA1c as a monitoring tool. Nearly 48% patients knew the complications of diabetes. Half of the patients were confident about the self-administration of insulin. About 54% patients took insulin for treatment. Among current insulin users, 75% injected insulin at the upper arm, 83% missed insulin doses, 74% had never used a glucometer, and 32% failed to rotate the site. Knowledge and attitude were good in the majority of patients, but practice regarding the use of insulin was poor. Skilled health care providers could educate diabetes mellitus patients on self-care management and insulin self-therapy and bridge this gap.