DIABETIC PATIENTS

Assess awareness about the role of lifestyle changes in the management of diabetes among diabetics. Patientsand Methods: Settings: Diabetic clinics of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Kidney Centre. Karachi. Study Period: From April 7, 2008to August 31, 2008. Study Design: Cross Sectional. Sampling Technique: Convenient. Sample Size: 200 diabetic patients. Results: A total of200 diabetics were interviewed. Their mean age was 48.8 years. Of these 92 (46%) were males and 108 (54%) were females. Diabetes wasunder control of 38% and 57% were taking regular treatment. Education sessions were attended by only 11%, counseling for lifestylemodification was done with 16%, 30% followed diet chart and 18% of the study participants were doing regular / irregular exercise. Majority ofthem (68%) needed social and family support to cop up the disease. Conclusions: There was a lack of awareness about the role of lifestylechanges in the management of diabetes among these diabetic patients. There is a need of health education programs for diabetics and generalpublic.