Changes in the level of knowledge of diabetes among elderly with diabetes in Slovenia in the period 2011–2020. Issue 5 (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Prevolnik Rupel, Valentina; Divjak, Marko; Turk, Eva
• Is Part Of: Primary care diabetes. Volume 15:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 879
• Page End: 883
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Type 2 diabetes -- Knowledge -- Elderly -- Diabetes knowledge test -- Patient empowerment; Diabetes -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2021.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9918

Abstract

Highlights: The knowledge of elderly T2D patients in Slovenia stayed unchanged 2010–2020. The average level of knowledge has slightly worsened for 80+ patients. Adapted educational efforts are needed in times of accessible general information. Abstract: Aims: To achieve better treatment decisions, type 2 diabetes patients need to be empowered also through knowledge increase. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the level of knowledge and overall perceptions of type 2 diabetes within the elderly diabetic patients before and after the National Diabetes Prevention and Care Development Programme 2010–2020. Methods: Diabetes knowledge test was used in two cross-sectional studies in 2011 and 2020 where the samples of type 2 diabetes patients 65+ were surveyed. Besides descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and general linear model were used to compare the level of knowledge. Results: The comparison reveals that in the last decade the general knowledge about diabetes has not significantly changed (U = 16942, p = 0.809). The average scores in 2011 and 2020 were 7.98 ± 2.41 and 7.96 ± 2.36 respectively. The average level of knowledge has slightly worsened for patients in the age group 80+, while it remained approximately the same in the other three age groups (65−69, 70−74, 75−79). Conclusions: Our study has shown that despite the National Diabetes Prevention and Care Development Programme the knowledge of elderly diabetic patients in Slovenia remained at the same level or worsened.