A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO EXPLORE THE KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS ABOUT PRE-DIABETES SCREENING AND MANAGEMENT AMONGST PHYSICIANS, FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AND PATIENTS

Objective: To explore the knowledge and perceptions about pre-diabetes screening and management amongst physicians, final year medical students and patients.

Method: The cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Rawalpindi Medical College and Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi from May,2018 to June, 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to assess doctors' and final year medical students' knowledge about screening and management of pre-diabetes. A group of patients were also interviewed about pre-diabetes awareness and their primary resources for health-related information. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.

Results: Of the 267 participants, there were 85(32%) doctors, 82(31%) medical students and 100(37%) patients. Only 61(71.8%), 44(51.7%) and 34(39.8%) physicians and 53(64.6%), 30(36.5%) and 26(31.6%) students could accurately identify impaired fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and impaired glucose tolerance criteria for pre-diabetes, respectively. Regarding risk factors for pre-diabetes screening, ethnicity, cardiovascular diseases and gestational diabetes were identified by 8(9.4%), 6(7.1%) and 9(10.6%) physicians and 10(12.2%), 6(7.3%) and 15(18.3%) students, respectively. There was no statistically significant relation of correct identification of pre-diabetes criteria with specialties, designations and years of experience post-qualification (p>0.5). Only 3(3%) patients were aware of pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes.

Conclusion: Knowledge and perception of doctors, medical students and patients about pre-diabetes was found to be deficient. Efforts are required to reinforce its identification and management at all levels.

Keywords: Lifestyle, Risk factors, Pre-diabetes, Prevention.