Self-Identification and Management of Hypoglycemia Symptoms among Insulin or Sulphonylurea Treated Diabetic Patients Holding a Valid Driving License; A Multicentre KAP Survey.
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Date
2021-07
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background- Diabetic patients on sulphonylureas and insulin are at higher risk of
hypoglycemic events. The body’s response to hypoglycemia include neuroglycopenic
symptoms which can affect the capacity of the individual to operate motor vehicles.
The level of knowledge about the dangers of driving in relation to hypoglycemia and the
appropriate way to manage it among diabetic patients in Ethiopia is not known
Objective-This survey aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practice of
insulin/sulphonylurea treated diabetic patients in relation to identifying and managing
symptoms of hypoglycemia
Method-This is a multicenter KAP survey which will use data collected from 100
completed questionnaires from two different centers between September 2020 and
March 2021. The result will be analyzed and reported as proportions for each item in
the questionnaire and comparison between the groups will be made using the Chi-
square test using SPSS version 21.A P value of <0.05 will be used for statistical
significance
Results-Among 106 participants, less than half (49%) identified more than half of the
hypoglycemia symptoms, with only 6% knowing all of the symptoms listed in the
questionnaire. Regarding having experienced hypoglycemia symptoms while driving,
23( 22% )said they did, with the majority of these still not carrying glucometer while
driving(78%) and never checking blood sugar before driving ( 81%). An equal
percentage said they always carry hypoglycemia treatment in the car when driving and
never ( 48% Vs 41%). Having had previous hypoglycemia while driving was associated
with more people carrying some form of treatment in the car ( p-<0.01). The majority of
participants ( 65%) said they'd stop, eat some food or have a sugary drink and then rest
for at least half an hour before driving again if they experienced hypoglycemia while
driving. More than half of the participants ( 54%)have never received any advice on
hypoglycemia and driving despite holding a valid driving license.
Conclusion-There is a wide gap in knowledge and practice when it comes to preventing
and treating hypoglycemia among diabetic patients getting care both in private and
government hospitals .Frequent and adequate education on the risks associated with
hypoglycemia while driving could improve the practices and should be given to all
patient attending diabetic clinics. In the future, the motor vehicle driving licensing
authority should mandate evidence of awareness of hypoglycemia and effective
measures to mitigate the risk related to driving as a necessary requirement for renewal
of licenses. should also mandate evidence that proper education has been received in
these patients before renewal of their licenses
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Keywords
Hypoglycemia symptoms,insulin , sulphonylurea , diabetic patients,driving license