Asad R, Christopher M, Noor M, Dawood Hm, Muneer Mu, Ishaq Y.
Oral Health Awareness in Type 2 Diabetes patients: a Survey-Based Questionnaire study from Lahore, Pakistan.
Biomedica Jan ;35(1):12-8.

Background & Objective: Pakistan has the seventh highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide. Self-care practices play a substantial role in the management of type 2 diabetes and in avoiding associated complications. Socio-demographics and knowledge directly affect self-care practices among patients. This study was conducted to assess self-care practices and determine their association with sociodemographic factors among patients with type 2diabetes in Lahore, Pakistan. In addition, oral health awareness was also assessed among the study participants. Methodology: A purposive sample of 402 patients with type 2 diabetes was selected for this analytical study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire to collect the data. Information was collected regarding sociodemographic variables, clinical factors, oral health awareness, and self-care practices related to diabetes management. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were calculated for continuous data. Categorical variables were analysed using the chi-square test. Results: None of the standardized self-care practices of diabetes were observed to be adhered by all patients. For example, only 29.90% of study participants reported checking their feet daily. Sociodemographic factors of gender, educational level, marital status, and income were associated with adherence to self-care practices among patients with diabetes. Patients were least aware of the need to have regular dental check-ups at least two times a year to ensure good oral health (36.30%). Conclusion: Self-care practices as well as the oral health care of patients with diabetes are affected by various sociodemographic indicators. Clinically, this information can be applied to design and target education and care planning amongst patients with type 2 diabetes. Providing special attention to patients with diabetes would allow for the provision of realistic recommendations regarding self-care.

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