Attached
Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the leading cause of death and disability
worldwide. The objective of the study was to assess the practices of insulin therapy
among patients who were on insulin. A descriptive cross sectional study was
conducted among diabetic patients aged 18 years and above who were on insulin,
attending diabetic/medical clinic in five hospitals in Colombo district. A pretested,
interviewer-administered, structured-questionnaire was used to collect data. Out of
the total 400 respondents the majority (29.0%) was on insulin for V - 2 years and
44.75% had completed their education only up to ordinary level. Less than half of
the study subjects (47.2%) had checked their HbAlc level at least once, showing
that poor practice on HbAlc testing. More than half (56.2%) of the total population
had never used a glucometer though it plays a vital role in diabetic management.
Slightly less than two third of the study subjects (65.0%) did not self- adjust insulin
doses as per their concern. There was no significant association between duration of
insulin therapy and confidence on self- administering insulin (p=0.423). The majority
(94.5%) of the total study group stored their insulin in the refrigerator which showed
a good storage practice. Though 95.8% of study subjects managed hypoglycemia at
the home only 36.2% knew at least three symptoms of hypoglycemia. Relatively half
of the total population 49.8% did not carry sweets when going out, for managing
emergency hypoglycemic attacks. Two fifth of the participants (40.0%) did not carry
any symbol indicating that they were using insulin. Although practices regarding
some questioned areas on insulin therapy can be satisfied, yet there are areas which
need to be further improved. Provision of careful counseling initially and repetitively
may lead to better glycemic control and improved quality of life
