Diabetic ketoacidosis: knowledge and practice among patients with diabetes attending three specialized diabetes clinics in Khartoum, Sudan.

INTRODUCTION

diabetic Ketoacidosis is the leading cause of mortality in children and adolescents with T1DM and accounts for about 50% of all deaths in patients younger than 24 years with diabetes. It affects 8 out of 1000 people with diabetes annually, with a worldwide mortality rate of 2-10%. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice towards DKA among patients with diabetes attending three diabetes clinics in Khartoum.

METHODS

we conducted a cross-sectional institution-based study. It included all patients with diabetes attending three diabetes clinics in Khartoum state over the period July - September 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess and score knowledge and practice towards DKA among patients with diabetes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0.

RESULTS

one hundred and ten patients participated in the study, of whom 86 had heard of DKA and were questioned further. Fifty-six point nine percent of participants had poor knowledge (0-8 out of 24) and low practice scores (0-2 out of 6). There was a strong association between knowledge scores and attended clinics.

CONCLUSION

there was an evident lack of knowledge and poor practice towards DKA among patients with diabetes attending diabetes clinics in Khartoum, Sudan.