Gender-Based Disparities in Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Type-II Diabetes Patients in Punjab, India: Insights for Tailored Interventions

Introduction: Managing Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) can be extremely difficult, especially in diverse populations where patient outcomes may be impacted by gender differences. Understanding patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is essential for creating focused interventions. This study aims to evaluate the KAP of T2DM patients attending outpatient clinics in Moga, Punjab, India, with a focus on gender disparities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 T2DM patients (197 females and 303 males). Inclusion criteria were T2DM patients aged above 18 years, while pregnant and breastfeeding women were excluded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, applying the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Chisquare, and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results: Poor knowledge and attitude scores were observed in 32.8% and 37.4% of patients, respectively, while 51.7% displayed fair practice scores. A gender-wise analysis revealed that males had higher proportions of good knowledge (33.7%) and attitude scores (50.2%) compared to females (20.8% and 36.0%, respectively). In terms of practice, both genders reported similar poor scores (31%). Discussion: Males had significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores, with better awareness of T2DM risk factors, complications, and management strategies, likely due to higher educational attainment and greater access to healthcare resources, but both genders faced challenges in translating knowledge into self-care practices. Correlation analysis revealed a positive association between KAP scores and clinical parameters. Conclusion: The study underscores the need for tailored educational programs that incorporate socio-cultural considerations and improved access to healthcare resources, which are crucial for bridging gender gaps in diabetes self-management.