A cross-sectional survey was conducted on Chinese diabetic patients attending a community
clinic in Hong Kong. A questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests were administered.
Of 155 adults with diabetes mellitus recruited, the mean age was 63 years (SD 10.3),
77.4% were female and 41.9% illiterate. Half the patients achieved adequate knowledge
scores. Knowledge was found to be associated with education level (OR 4.3, 95% CI
1.8, 10.0), longer disease duration (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4, 7.4) and complications (OR
0.3, 95% CI 0.1, 0.8). No correlation was found between knowledge and attitude or
practice. Attitude was found to be associated with practice (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.3)
and male gender (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1, 7.5); practice was associated with hypertension
(0.5, 95% CI 0.2, 0.9). Older less educated Chinese diabetic patients can be educated
about diabetes management, but knowledge does not always translate into practice.