The insulin sharps disposal study: Evaluation of a structured patient education initiative in an urban community health centre in India

Context: India has witnessed an increase in people suffering from diabetes mellitus and also those on insulin. The issue of handling used sharps in the community is an area of concern. Aims: Our study aimed to assess the change in knowledge and practise concerning the disposal of used insulin sharps in patients with diabetes, pre- and post-evaluation, a structured, health provider-initiated, patient-centred insulin-use health education (PIHE) Settings and Design: A pre- and post-evaluation study of PIHE set in an urban health centre in south India Methods and Materials: A pre-evaluation study was done on a cross-sectional sample of type II diabetes patients, who visited the urban health centre and were on insulin for at least 1 year. A semi-structured pilot-tested questionnaire was used for the study. For 18 months, PIHE was provided to all insulin users at outpatient contact, after which a post-evaluation study among another cross-sectional sample of patients in the same centre, was done to assess change in knowledge and practise. Statistical Analysis Used: Univariate analysis followed by logistic regression. Results: The participants in the pre- and post-evaluation studies had a mean (SD) age of 54.9 (11.33) years and 57.2 (11.01) years, respectively. The baseline characteristics of gender, socioeconomic status and diabetes duration were similar. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.001) difference in knowledge (19 [19%] to 81 [81%]) and practise (7 [7%] to 73 [73%]) of participants regarding the correct disposal method of used insulin syringes and sharps before and after PIHE. Conclusions: PIHE over an 18-month period for diabetic patients on insulin significantly improved knowledge and practises relating to insulin use and correct disposal of syringes and sharps.