Jun, 2014; Volume 1; Issue 1 http://ijcn.mainspringer.com 18 Kavitha M and S. Aruna, Knowledge on Complications of Diabetes Mellitus among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus – A Descriptive Study, IJCN, 2014, 1(1):18-20. Knowledge on Complications of Diabetes Mellitus among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus – A Descriptive Study Kavitha M* 1 and S. Aruna 2 1 Associate Prof., MIOT college of Nursing, Chennai. 2 Reader, Sri Ramachandra College of Nursing, Sri Ramachanra University, Chennai. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes is a complex disease charged by susceptibility to chronic complications. The main complications are macro vascular and micro vascular complications. Diabetes care aims to achieve a Quality of life and life expectancy similar to that of the general population by reducing the risk of complications. A study was under taken to assess the knowledge on complications of diabetes mellitus among the patients with diabetes mellitus. Objectives: To assess the level of knowledge regarding complications of diabetes mellitus and to associate the selected demographic variables with knowledge on complications of diabetes mellitus. Setting: A selected village in kanchipuram District,Tamil Nadu. Participants: Patients with diabetes mellitus Methods and Materials:Adescriptive study was undertaken and 100 diabetes mellitus patients were selected by convenient sampling technique. A structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge. Results: Data analysis revealed that the age range of subjects was between 40-65 years. 71% of patients had diabetes for more than 3 years, majority 88% of patients were treated only with oral hypoglycemic agents and 46% of them had experienced any one or more of diabetes related complications. Only 3% of patients had adequate knowledge on acute complications of diabetes mellitus and 62% of them had moderately adequate knowledge and all chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. There was no significant association between selected demographic variables and knowledge score at p < 0.05 level. Conclusion: There is a need to educate diabetic patients about the complications and measures to prevent thesecomplications. Introduction Massive populations of the mankind live with diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. At present India is considered as the “world’s” capital of Diabetes. Development of Diabetes is associated with increased mortality & high risk of developing retinal, vascular & neuropathic complications leading to disability & death. (Black.M. Joyce, Hawks JH) 1 According to Diabetes Atlas published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), India was home to 62.4 million diabetics in the year 2011 and the incidence is on a continuous rise and this number is predicted to rise to almost 70 million people by 2025. The countries with the largest number of diabetic people will be in India, China and USA by 2030. It is estimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian. While the ICMR study reported that the prevalence was 2.1 per cent in urban and 1.5 per cent in rural areas. (A Ramachandran, AK Das, SR Joshi, CS Yajnik, S Shah, KM Prasanna Kuma) 2 . Objectives 1) To assess the level of knowledge regarding complications of diabetes mellitus 2) To associate the selected demographic variables with knowledge on complications of diabetes mellitus. Pender’s Health promotion Model was used as a theoretical framework to describe the interrelationship between variables such as individual characteristics, behaviour specific knowledge and behavioral outcomes like health promotion and prevention of complications. Methodology Approach: Quantitative research approach with descriptive design was used. Setting and participants: The study was conducted in a selected village of Kanchipuram District among patients with diabetes mellitus. Sample size: Non probability convenience sampling technique was used o select 100 patients with diabetes mellitus. Instrument for data collection Data was collected using structured multiple choice questionnaire based on the review of books and related journals International Journal of Comprehensive Nursing Article History: Received 13 May 2014 Received in revised form 20 May 2014 Accepted 27 May 2014 Available online 1 June 2014 Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Patients, Complications, hypoglycemia, demography. *Corresponding author. Email address: kavi_mani77@yahoo.com ISSN: 2349 - 5413