Evaluation of knowledge and practice on hygienic and dietary measures in type 2 diabetics at the Mali hospital in 2024

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not properly use the insulin produced. It represents a major public health issue, particularly in Mali, where more than 2 million people are affected by it. In a context marked by poverty and low levels of education, the application of health and diet measures (MHD), although essential in the management of diabetes, remains difficult. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and practices of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on health and diet measures. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2023, involving 205 patients followed for T2D at the Mali hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with patients and a review of their medical records. The analysis was performed using SPSS-20 software. Approximately 48.8% of patients with T2DM (PDT2) had good knowledge of the definition of diabetes, and 8.8% knew the type of diabetes they had. The most cited sign was the frequent urge to urinate (92.2% of PDT2). In terms of practice, 38% of the participants performed regular blood sugar monitoring at home, 29.3% consulted a dietitian, and 43.9% practiced physical activity. The most common difficulty in respecting the MHD was financial (59.5 %). Our study revealed that, despite MHDs having good knowledge, their practice was limited. An analytical study could better identify these factors.