Knowledge, attitude, and practice of type2 Arab diabetic patients in Qatar: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the levels of diabetes knowledge among adult Arab diabetic patients living in Qatar and to determine how the knowledge influences on attitude and practices toward their illness. A validated, reliable, and modified questionnaire (Baradaran et al., BMC Public 6:134, 2006) was distributed to participants in a face-to-face interview. Of the 130 eligible participants, 105 subjects responded; among them, 63 were females and 42 males while age range was 20-65 years. The knowledge score was 14.6+/-8.4 out of a maximum of 48 mean total and the attitude score was 0.5+/-3.4 out of 24 mean total, while the practice score was 15.1+/-9 out of 48 mean total. This study demonstrates that the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice among adult Arab type 2 diabetic patients are rather poor. As a result of this study, a nationwide group-based structured diabetes educational program has been developed. Arabian Gulf countries have witnessed the emergence of the obesity epidemic and diabetes mellitus as a major public health problem in the region (Musaiger, Fam Pract 7:9-13, 1990). The state of Qatar, over the last three decades of economic transition, has witnessed a rapid rise in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality mainly due to diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation, Qatar has a national diabetes prevalence of 16 % (Diabetes Atlas, International Diabetes Federation, 2003), making the disease an epidemic and a national health and economic burden. Arabian Gulf countries including Qatar have abandoned their traditional complex carbohydrate-and fiber-rich diets and replaced it with energy-dense, high-fat, empty calories westernized diet lacking essential nutrients and fiber (Al Mahroos, Ann Saudi Med 20:111-112, 2000; Lawati et al., Diabet Med 19:954-7, 2002).