Assessment of Knowledge of Diabetic Patients about Glycemic Abnormalities and Medicine Storage in Makkah during Hajj Pilgrimage

Objectives: The main objective of this research was to evaluate the awareness about symptoms of diabetes and dealing with those symptoms, management and storage of drug especially for the heat sensitive hormone (insulin) by diabetic patients participating in Hajj and the residents of Makkah. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for diabetic patients participating in Hajj and the residents of Makkah. The sample was composed of 459 diabetic patients, typed questionnaires were administered with an interview, electronic and verbal interview was conducted on 104 patients (50 patients in holy place Al-Mashaeer adjacent to Makkah and 40 in the hospital), while the electronic one was conducted on 355 diabetics residing in Makah. Results and Conclusion: About 94% of participants of the study "Sample Makkah" store their insulin in a cool place, while 6% of them don’t. 37.7% of participants of the study "Sample Makkah" have mobile cooling box, while 62.3% are without any facility for storage. 49.4% of participants of the study "Sample Makkah" check blood sugar before taking the dose of insulin, while 50.4% of them don’t. There are no differences between Makkah and Hajjaj pilgrims regarding storage of insulin, following healthy diet and awareness about the symptoms of low blood sugar. While, there is a difference in knowledge to deal with low blood sugar symptoms between diabetic patients of Makkah and Hajjaj pilgrims. Also there is no suitable place (refrigerator) for storing insulin and no mobile coolers to suit their move through Al-Mashaeer (holy place). The diabetics don’t do blood sugar test regularly. Health care sector should educate pilgrims about the importance of having healthy food and should conduct training sessions for the diabetics to increase awareness about dealing with their chronic diseases, educational leaflets about dealing with low or high blood sugar should be distributed.