ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG NURSES REGARDING DIABETES MELLITUS WORKING IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS OF PESHAWAR

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a growing global health concern, with significant implications for both patients and healthcare systems. Effective management requires comprehensive knowledge, particularly among nurses who play a critical role in patient education, medication administration, and complication prevention. In regions like Peshawar, Pakistan, where diabetes prevalence is rising, assessing the knowledge level of nursing professionals is essential for improving care outcomes.

Aim: This study aims to assess the knowledge of nurses working in tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar regarding Diabetes Mellitus.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the endocrinology and medical wards of three tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar: Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital, and Hayatabad Medical Complex. A total sample of 100 registered nurses was selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.7) and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0, with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests employed to evaluate knowledge levels and demographic associations.

Results: The majority of participants held a BSN degree and were stationed at LRH. While overall knowledge scores were moderately high (mean = 38.10, p < 0.001), significant gaps were identified in key areas such as diagnostic criteria, hypoglycemia management, exercise importance, and dietary guidelines. No statistically significant correlation was found between demographic variables and knowledge levels (p > 0.05), indicating that knowledge gaps were widespread across all subgroups.

Conclusion: Although nurses demonstrated a basic understanding of diabetes, critical knowledge deficits persist—particularly in dietary management, insulin administration, and complication recognition. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted, ongoing professional education and training programs to enhance nursing competencies in diabetes care and ensure safer, more effective patient outcomes.