Awareness of Diabetes Complications among Diabetes Patients in Northern Border Region in Saudi Arabia

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic common illness leading to various complications, significantly impacting health outcomes and the quality of life of affected individuals. In Saudi Arabia's Northern Border Region, understanding the awareness of diabetes-related complications among patients is critical for effective health management and educational outreach. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of awareness regarding diabetic complications among diabetes patients in the Northern Border region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing convenience sampling to select 385 participants from the Northern Border region. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire, which included demographic information and questions regarding diabetes knowledge. Statistical analysis involves descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings revealed a diverse demographic; most participants were Saudi nationals (355, 92.2%), predominantly male (247, 64.2%) and largely educated (300, 77.9% with university degrees). A significant portion (262, 68.1%) had diabetes for 1 to 5 years. Awareness levels varied: while 304 (79.0%) recognized the risk of blindness due to retinopathy and 296 (76.9%) understood the potential for kidney failure, only 234 (60.8%) were aware of diabetes-related stroke risks. Notably, 270 (70.1%) of participants displayed sufficient knowledge of diabetic complications, yet 294 (76.4%) indicated a lack of adequate educational resources. Conclusion: The study highlights a commendable degree of knowledge about diabetes complications among patients in the Northern Border region. However, significant gaps remain, particularly concerning specific complications like skin disease and recurrent infections. The correlation between awareness and age suggests a need for targeted educational initiatives to enhance understanding, especially among older patients.