Netshikweta, M. L.Shilubane, N. H.Ralineba, Tshinyadzo2015-02-102015-02-102015-02-10Ralineba, T. 2015. Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. . . http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252Department of Advance Nursing ScienceMCurDiabetes mellitus is a chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Over 140 million people worldwide were estimated to have type 2 diabetes mellitus in the year 2000 and this prevalence is projected to rise to over 280 million by the year 2025. Diabetes mellitus is a progressive disease that can lead to debilitating complications and premature death if not effectively controlled. The study sought to assess the level of knowledge that diabetic patients have regarding diabetes mellitus and to describe beliefs and practices for diabetes management among such patients. A quantitative descriptive design was used to collect data. A self­ administered questionnaire was designed and translated into local spoken language (Tshivenda) by experts from the department of African Languages at the University of Venda. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Content validity and reliability of the instrument were ensured. As many as 51 (51.0%) of the respondents reported that they knew what diabetes mellitus was, whereas 49 (49.0%) did not know. Knowledge of the role of obesity and physical inactivity in producing diabetes was very low, with only 4 (8.9%) and 7 (15.5%) of the respondents reporting these as risk factors for diabetes mellitus, as compared to 34 (75.5%) of the respondents who had the knowledge that heredity is also associated with being predisposed to diabetes mellitus. Almost 62 (62.0%) of the respondents believed that diabetes could cause complications. A majority of 93 (93%) of the respondents reported that they were able to monitor blood sugar levels regularly. Findings of this study revealed that the level of diabetes knowledge among the respondents was very good. However, knowledge of signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus was very low, while the danger of blindness was also very low, since the respondents were never examined by eye specialists in order to rule out eye complications. A comprehensive diabetes education programme is necessary to improve the knowledge of diabetes mellitus.1 online resource (v, 128 leaves): color illustrationsenUniveristy of VendaKnowledgeBeliefsUCTDPracticesPaitentsDiabetes Mellitus362.1964620968257Chronically ill -- South Africa -- LimpopoDiabetes -- South Africa -- LimpopoDiabetic -- South Africa -- LimpopoDissertationRalineba T. Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. []. , 2015 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252Ralineba, T. (2015). <i>Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252Ralineba, Tshinyadzo. <i>"Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa."</i> ., , 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252TY - Dissertation AU - Ralineba, Tshinyadzo DA - 2015-02-10 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Knowledge KW - Beliefs KW - Practices KW - Paitents KW - Diabetes Mellitus LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2015 T1 - Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa TI - Knowledge, beliefs and practices among patients with diabetes mellitus in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11602/252 ER -