Evaluation of diabetes knowledge among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Portugal primary care – where is the gap

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BACKGROUND: Understanding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complexity is fundamental to achieving glycaemic control and preventing complications. This study aimed to assess people's diabetes knowledge in Primary Health Care Portugal context and explore sociodemographic and clinical data that may influence this knowledge. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a descriptive nature was conducted between September 2022 and March 2023 through a convenience sample of 365 persons diagnosed with T2DM in primary care. The data were collected using the Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT) and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and bivariate statistics. RESULTS: Both people with T2DM not receiving insulin treatment (7.29; SD ± 1.99) and those receiving insulin treatment (11.98; SD ± 2.64) had an average level of knowledge and demonstrated more difficulties in areas such as diet, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) values, symptom management, and medication use (insulin). Some demographic factors that appear to be associated with better knowledge were younger age groups, higher education levels, and clinical data with lower HbA1c levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that the knowledge of T2DM patients was average. Understanding the factors that can affect knowledge and the areas of knowledge that need to be explored further, such as diet, clinical value interpretation, symptom management, and medication, can help professionals develop specific interventions that contribute more effectively to better self-care behaviors, metabolic control, and fewer related complications. Additionally, living longer with a diagnosis is not an indicator of better knowledge of the disease, and special attention should be given to older people and those with lower education levels.

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