Assessing the Level of Knowledge and Health Seeking Behaviour among Diabetic Patients in the Jasikan District

Background: Diabetes is a persistent metabolic disorder characterised by high levels of blood glucose. Over time, it leads to cardiovascular, ocular, renal, and neurological damage. The most prevalent kind is type 2 diabetes, typically found in adults, which happens when the body develops resistance to insulin or fails to produce a enough amount of insulin. The incidence of type 2 diabetes has significantly increased in recent years mostly as a result of lifestyle modifications. Type 1 diabetes arises from an autoimmune process that leads to the death of insulin-secreting cells (B cells) in the pancreas. Typically, it begins during adolescence but can manifest at any stage of life. The objective of the study is to evaluate the degree of knowledge and health-seeking behaviours of individuals with diabetes in the Jasikan district.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using non-probability selection, namely convenience sampling, to select a total of 114 respondents. Data was collected using a standardised questionnaire. The data was stored and analysed using SPSS version 25 for mac, which is a Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

Results: The majority of patients are aware that regular hospital check-ups are essential for their medical care. The study uncovered that nearly all individuals with diabetes in the Jasikan district promptly seek medical assistance from the hospital whenever they experience health issues. Alternatively, 48.2% of individuals seek guidance from religious leaders, 9.6% turn to herbal remedies, and 2.6% choose to self-medicate. Just 39.5% of the participants acknowledged that the primary factor behind diabetes is insufficient production of efficient insulin within the body. The vast majority of respondents (87.7%) recognised that diabetes leads to an increase in blood glucose levels. Additionally, 72.8% acknowledged that a fasting blood sugar level of 11.1 is excessively elevated.

Conclusions: Individuals with diabetes in the Jasikan district possess a limited amount of knowledge regarding their medical condition. They possess expertise regarding blood sugar levels in diabetes, the associated difficulties, and the necessity for frequent and regular check-ups. However, they have a deficiency in understanding on the many forms and underlying causes of diabetes, as well as the symptoms associated with hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The majority of individuals with diabetes in the district frequently turn to the hospital for assistance if they experience health issues. As an alternative, many turn to religious leaders, natural remedies, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.