Knowledge, attitude and practices of Qatari patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Patient compliance with their medications and their ability for self-management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing cause of concern to healthcare providers. Knowledge about diabetes, attitude towards the condition and time management with respect to the condition (practice), collectively known as KAP, are known to affect compliance and play an important part in diabetes management. We aimed to describe the knowledge, attitude, practice and psychological status of adult Qatari patients with T2DM, and to explore the interaction between these and other patient-related factors which could impact on the ability of the patients to manage their diabetes and to achieve desirable health outcomes. METHODS: A questionnaire (the Diabetes Habits and Beliefs Questionnaire, DHBQ) was used to investigate the level and relationship between knowledge, attitude, general practice and psychological status of patients with T2DM. The data was collected in face-to-face interviews with patients visiting the diabetic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Qatar during the period January 2008 to March 2009. KEY FINDINGS: There were significant differences in attitude and knowledge between educational levels. Knowledge and attitude were highly correlated and the psychological status of the patient was positively associated with both knowledge and attitude. There was generally poor practice of regularly inspecting feet to detect signs of neuropathy, taking medication in relation to meals, modifying doses when necessary and setting goals for therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The data provided can assist pharmacists and other healthcare practitioners in tailoring educational programmes aimed at improving diabetes control.

The utility of an electronic adherence assessment device in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study of single medication.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this pilot study was to determine if the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) is capable of providing meaningful estimates of compliance within the indigenous Qatari population. The secondary objective was to highlight any specific problems which might be associated with the use of MEMS within this population. METHOD: A sample of adult diabetic Qatari patients attending an outpatient diabetic clinic were administered a Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) questionnaire and then dispensed one of their regular medications in a MEMS((R))-fitted bottle. Data contained in the MEMS((R)) were downloaded after the patients returned for a refill and adherence was estimated using 2 methods: pill count and MEMS((R)) data. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients agreed to participate in this pilot study. Adherence to daily doses was 67.7% and with regimen 13.7%. No correlation was found between adherence assessed by pill count and MEMS((R)). The association between KAP and adherence was generally poor. A number of other issues and challenges in the use of MEMS((R)) that could affect its utility were noted and will be discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed problems associated with the use of MEMS((R)) that could affect its usefulness in assessing adherence in this part of the world. Some issues identified in this pilot study included retrieving the MEMS((R)), registering extra opening of MEMS((R)), desire to hoard medicine by taking doses at different frequency than recorded in MEMS((R)). All these issues could be closely associated with the attitudes and practices of the patients, as demonstrated by our KAP analysis and correlations.