Awareness of Vital Complications and Associated Factors Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Al-Hudaydah, Yemen: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Yemen ranks 120th in diabetes-related mortality in 2020, with a mortality rate of 15.42 per 100,000 people. Awareness and early detection of diabetic complications are vital.

OBJECTIVE

This study is aimed at assessing the awareness of diabetes complications, specifically retinopathy, nephropathy, and hypoglycemia symptoms and associated factors, among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Al-Hudaydah, Yemen, in order to reduce diabetes-related morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2022; 900 randomly selected participants were involved. A prevalidated questionnaire was utilized to assess awareness of diabetic complications. Statistical analyses were performed to identify correlations between demographic factors and awareness levels.

RESULTS

Of 900 patients (mean age 47.6, mostly male), 60.8% understood common health issues and the need for annual care (p < 0.001). However, significant awareness gaps were identified: 34.0% were unaware of hypoglycemia symptoms, 40.3% did not recognize the importance of renal testing, and 40.2% lacked awareness of eye examinations. Longer disease duration (> 6 years) was associated with lower awareness of hypoglycemia symptoms (OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98, p = 0.025). Females had lower awareness of renal testing (OR = 0.675, 95% CI 0.56-0.82, p < 0.01). Higher education doubled awareness (OR = 2.03-2.13, 95% CI 1.50-2.50, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights significant gaps in awareness of diabetic complications, particularly hypoglycemia symptoms, renal testing importance, and eye examinations. Younger age and higher education levels were positively associated with awareness, while longer disease duration and female gender were negatively correlated. Targeted educational interventions are essential, especially for older populations and those with lower educational attainment, to enhance diabetes self-care and improve health outcomes.