Knowledge modification on diabetes mellitus in diabetic patients of a Family Medical Office No. 5 of the Municipal Teaching Polyclinic

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a growing health problem for the world. The number of people who suffer from it has quadrupled in the last three decades and is currently the ninth leading cause of death. Preventing it involves comprehensive management in what Patient education plays a primary role.
Objective: To modify the knowledge of diabetic patients about their illness in the Family Medical Office No. 5 of the Municipal Teaching Polyclinic from May 2021 to May 2022.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study of educational intervention was carried out in diabetic patients from the Family Medical Office No. 5, belonging to the Municipal Teaching Polyclinic, of Santiago de Cuba, in the period from May 2021 to May 2022. Theoretical methods such as historical-logical, analytical-synthetic, and inductive-deductive were used to collect information and its foundation. Empirical methods such as the questionnaire and observation were used, and statistical methods such as percentage and McNemar test were used when conditions for their application existed.
Results: Patients aged 60 and over (42 %) and females (66 %) predominated. It was evident that before the educational intervention, the majority of patients had inadequate knowledge in the domains of diet (98 %), symptoms that indicate lack of disease control (96 %), situations that can decompensate diabetes mellitus, and measures in the use of medications, with 90% and 90%, respectively, results that were modified after the intervention.
Conclusions: It was possible to raise the level of knowledge in diabetic patients of the Family Medical Office No. 5 of the Municipal Teaching Polyclinic about their disease.
DeCS: DIABETES MELLITUS; EDUCATION; PATIENTS; PHYSICIANS' OFFICES; KNOWLEDGE.