ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS INSULIN ADMINISTRATION AND STORAGE THROUGH BROCHURE-BASED LEARNING AMONG DIABETIC PATIENTS IN LAHORE

Abstract

Background:
Insulin is classified as a high-alert medication, and improper administration or storage can result in serious complications such as lipohypertrophy, injection-site pain, hypoglycemia, and poor glycemic control. Evidence from international literature consistently indicates that diabetic patients often possess inadequate knowledge regarding correct insulin handling, injection techniques, and storage conditions. In resource-limited settings, gaps in structured patient education further exacerbate these issues, emphasizing the need for simple, standardized, and accessible educational strategies to improve safe insulin use.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge of diabetic patients regarding insulin administration and storage and to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured brochure-based educational intervention in improving this knowledge.

Methods:
A quantitative, one-group quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was conducted in diabetic centers and hospital settings in Lahore. Adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes receiving insulin therapy were enrolled using convenience sampling. A pilot-tested, pre-validated questionnaire consisting of 14 items assessed knowledge before and after the intervention. A structured educational brochure covering insulin administration, injection techniques, site rotation, storage, and travel precautions was used. Data from 252 participants (124 insulin pen users and 128 vial–syringe users) were analyzed using SPSS. Non-parametric tests, including Wilcoxon signed-rank, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, were applied.

Results:
Post-intervention analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall insulin-related knowledge (p < 0.001). Improvement was observed in 233 of 252 participants for general knowledge, 108 of 128 syringe users, and 95 of 124 pen users (p < 0.001 for all). The largest gains were noted in practices related to injection-site preparation and single-use needle replacement. Duration of insulin therapy showed a significant association with general knowledge scores, with patients using insulin for less than one year achieving higher scores (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:
Brochure-based educational intervention significantly improved patients’ knowledge regarding insulin administration and storage. Incorporating structured, patient-centered educational materials into routine diabetes care may enhance safe insulin practices and support better long-term disease management.

Keywords:
Diabetes Mellitus, Health Education, Insulin, Medication Adherence, Patient Education, Self-Management, Treatment Outcome