Knowledge of hypoglycemia and awareness of diabetes complications among diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess awareness of diabetes complications and knowledge of hypoglycemia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital between December 2022 and November 2023. The participants were 362 adult patients with diabetes selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews using a validated questionnaire that included sections on socio-demographic characteristics, diabetes history, and knowledge of hypoglycemia and awareness about diabetes complications. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (71.3%), and 227 (62.7%) had been diabetic for more than 10 years. Approximately 37% are taking a combination of antidiabetic medications. Hypoglycemia reported in 218 (60.2%) and hypoglycemic coma reported in 37 (17.1%). Overall, 81.1% had good knowledge of hypoglycemia, and 91.4% had good awareness of diabetes complications. Better knowledge was associated with higher education, insulin treatment and other combination therapies, and previous experience with hypoglycemia. Patients with type 1 diabetes or a long duration of diabetes were more aware of diabetes complications. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes had a high degree of knowledge and awareness, but hypoglycemia was still a prevalent issue. Neuroglycopenic symptoms and long-term consequences are insufficiently recognized. Teaching and coaching can help prevent hypoglycemia.