Source of Education, Source of Care, Access to Glucometers, and Independent Correlates of Diabetes Knowledge in Ethiopian Adults with Diabetes

Background: Knowledge, self-care and access to diabetes-related resources is critical to diabetes management. However, there is paucity of data on source of education, source of care, and access to diabetes-related resources in the developing world, including Ethiopia. Objective: To examine source of education, source of care, access to diabetes-related resources, and correlates of diabetes knowledge in a random sample of adults with diabetes in Ethiopia. Methods: A sample of 337 subjects was selected using systematic random sampling. Validated questionnaires were used to obtain data on source of education, source of care, access to diabetes-related resources, and diabetes knowledge. Multiple logistic and linear models were used to assess independent correlates of owning a glucometer and good diabetes knowledge. Results: Response rate was 91.1%. Correlates of access to glucometer were being ≥55 years of age (OR = 2.6 95% CI 1.0 to 6.73), having high school (OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.17 to 10.41) and college education (OR = 5.2; 95% CI: 1.67 to 16.27), higher income (OR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.19 to 9.19), and receiving DM care in private hospital/clinics (OR = 9.4; 95% CI: 2.24 to 39.31). Independent correlates of poor diabetes knowledge were being age 40–54, being single, lack of education, lower monthly income (0–499 birr or $0 - $18.11), getting DM care from public hospitals, treatment with oral medications, and not owning a glucometer. Conclusions: This study provides new insights on source of education, source of care, access to diabetes-related resources (e.g. glucometers, test strips), and correlates of diabetes knowledge in developing countries like Ethiopia that are experiencing an increasing prevalence of diabetes.