Knowledge, attitudes and practices of paramedical staff in the Diourbel and Bambey health districts towards diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of paramedical staff in Bambey and Diourbel health districts with regard to diabetes. Methodology. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from July 10 to October 10, 2020. The study population was paramedical staff (127). Sampling was exhaustive. The sample size was 82 agents. Inclusion criteria were attendance at district meetings and willingness to participate in the study. Data collected by questionnaire, entered in sphinx 5.1.0.2 and analysed in SPSS18. Results. Of the 127 agents, 65% were surveyed. Females accounted for 85%, with a sex ratio of 0.17. Agents with more than 10 years’ experience accounted for38%, followed by those with between 5 and 10 years (37%). Socioprofessional category associated with knowledge of paraclinical examinations and diabetes mellitus risk factors (p ˂ 0.05). Sixty-five percent of paramedical staff performed systematic diabetes screening. Over ¾ of respondents (83%) did not manage their diabetic patients. Diabetes medications were known by 43% of respondents. Prevention methods were mentioned by 72% of respondents. Conclusion. The recommended actions were continuous training, organization of mass screening campaigns, therapeutic education of diabetic and regular blood glucose monitoring from the age of 40.