KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HYPOGLYCEMIA PREVENTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULTS WITH DIABETES IN WEST SHEWA, ETHIOPIA, 2023

Abstract

Background: Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that causes hospital admission and emergency department visit. Knowledge of hypoglycemia prevention is very essential due to the fact knowledgeable patient is more likely to practice hypoglycemia prevention. Despite this fact, the knowledge and practice of hypoglycemia prevention and its associated factors among patients with diabetes insufficiently studied in Oromia. Objective: To assess knowledge and practice of hypoglycemia prevention and its associated factors among patients with diabetes in West Shewa, Ethiopia, 2023 Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design conducted from May 01 to June 01, 2023. A systematic random sampling technique used to select 393 participants with proportional allocation. A pre-tested, structured and interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data entered using Epi-data version 4.6 and then exported to SPSS software version 25 for further processing. A binary logistic regression model performed to determine the association between dependent and independent variable. Factors with p-value <0.25 on bivariate analysis were taken to multivariate analysis. The strength of association was determined by AOR. The level of significance declared at p-value <0.05 with 95% CI. Result: Among the total respondents, 273(70.9%) live with Type2 DM and 131(34.0%) used insulin. Generally, 59.7% and 47% of respondents had good knowledge and practice of hypoglycemia prevention respectively. The educational level, using insulin, and monthly income were associated with good knowledge. Whereas educational level, having a glucometer, and knowledge were associated with good practice of hypoglycemia prevention Conclusion and recommendation: The study shows there is a knowledge and practice gap regarding hypoglycemia prevention. Health care provider should give hypoglycemia-oriented health education.