Knowledge about Practice of Insulin Injection among Diabetic Patients at the Outpatient Department – Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital 2025-2026

Abstract

Objective: To describe the current status of treatment adherence among hypertensive patients receiving outpatient care at the Outpatient Department of Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 11/2025-01/2026. Subjects and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study design, conducted on 116 diabetic patients managed and treated at the Outpatient Department of Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 11/2025-01/2026; To assess the knowledge of insulin injection technique among diabetic patients using the 'Injection Technique Questionnaire' (ITQ). Results: The mean age was 64.30 ± 12.60 years; the male-to-female ratio was 50.86% to 49.14%; and the majority of participants had a high school education or higher, accounting for 78.45%. Regarding correct knowledge: storage of unused insulin (87.93%); warming insulin before injection (84.48%); expiration time after opening (90.52%); timing of meals post-injection (98.28%); identifying spoiled insulin (84.48%); recognizing symptoms of hypoglycemia (81.90%); proper management of hypoglycemia (87.07%); effects of current insulin types (79.31%); storage of in-use insulin (64.66%); and injection site rotation (90.52%). Knowledge of insulin administration practices: hand hygiene before injection (85.35%); mixing/agitating insulin before use (82.76%); injection site selection (87.07%); site disinfection (87.93%); injection technique (88.79%); needle disposal after use (90.52%); and identifying injection site abnormalities (74.14%). Regarding delivery devices, 38.79% used insulin pens and 61.21% used syringes; the correct medication preparation rate was 100% for pen users and 87.32% for syringe users. Conclusions and Recommendations: The proportion of patients with high levels of insulin knowledge about practical injection knowledge was significant; The rate of patients with knowledge of injection technique was higher in the pen group compared to the syringe group. Further longitudinal research is needed to explore the link between knowledge and practice in Insulin-treated patients with diabetes. Health education should be intensified, and the use of insulin pens prioritized where feasible.