Health education in the management of diabetes at the primary health care level: Is there a gender difference?

Abstract

We examined differences between male and female diabetic patients, as recipients of health education messages provided in a primary health care setting and its implications on the control of the disease. The files of 198 diabetic patients attending a diabetes clinic in Abha, Saudi Arabia were analysed. The results showed that females had significantly higher body mass index and fasting blood sugar levels than men with significantly fewer mean number of health education sessions in the last 12 months. Multiple logistic regression model pointed to the female sex as a significant predictor of poor glycaemic control. The model for females alone showed significantly poorer diabetes control when the number of health education sessions received was less.