| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 1 | Page : 54-57 |
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Self monitoring of blood glucose level among diabetic patients in Muscat, Oman: A pilot study
Abdul S Nazmi, Shah A Khan, Dunia A Hadithi
Department of Pharmacy, Oman Medical College, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
Correspondence Address:
Abdul S Nazmi
Department of Pharmacy, Oman Medical College, PO Box 620, Postal Code - 130, Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2278-0521.112632
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Introduction: Monitoring of blood glucose (BG) is an important aspect of the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) of patients at home can provide patients and physicians with valuable information in the management of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the awareness, attitude and practice of SMBG among primary care diabetic patients in Muscat region. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase 140 patients attending diabetes clinics at various health centers in Muscat region were interviewed to identify patients who practice SMBG. In the second phase a closed ended questionnaire containing 10 questions related to demographic characteristics and attitude was self administered to 50 patients recruited from the first phase to generate the data. Results: It was found that only one third of the patients use glucometer to monitor their BG at home. However, majority of the patients were aware of the significance and importance of glucose home monitoring and thus recommended the practice of SMBG to other diabetic patients. Participants acknowledged the role of pharmacist in educating and training the patient about the proper use of glucometers. Patients were convinced with the device performance and pricking finger was not a deterrent, but at the same time the frequency of BG monitoring was poor among the participants. Conclusion: Overall the participants had a positive attitude towards SMBG but there is a room for the improvement among the participants who showed poor frequency of BG monitoring. There is a need to aware and educate the Omani diabetic patients about the importance of SMBG to achieve the desired therapeutic goals. |
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