Volume 44 (2026) – Supplementary Issue 1 – Article 23 – Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias kai Farmakokinetikes

Abstract
Background: Blood glucose self-monitoring is essential for diabetic patients to assess their blood glucose levels, manage diabetes, and adjust their treatment regimen according to their physicians’ advice. The availability of a range of accessible, advanced devices plays an important role in controlling blood sugar and preventing health problems that can arise as complications of diabetes through early diagnosis and appropriate practice. Aim: To assess knowledge and practice of diabetic patients regarding blood glucose self-monitoring devices and to identify the correlation of their knowledge and practice with their demographic and clinical data. Methodology: A cross-sectional study included 367 diabetic patients with scheduled appointments on specific days who were attending the Specialty Center of Endocrine Diseases and Diabetes in Al-Russafa, Baghdad, Iraq, for follow-up. Data were collected in June–August 2025 using convenience sampling and interviews, with a translated questionnaire from previous studies, following expert validation. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of the participants were female (54.5%), aged 56- 65 years (34.1%), married (77.1%), had primary education (37.3%), and were unemployed (67%). They had type 2 diabetes (83.1%), with a long duration of diabetes of 10 years and more (55.9%), and were on oral hypoglycemic medications (46.9%). Most participants had learned to use the device (glucometer) (90.2%), and health care providers were the main source of learning for the participants (45.2%). They currently use glucose monitoring devices (73.8%), primarily self-testing (85.6%) at high frequency (> once/day; 45.2%). Barriers to using blood glucose self-monitoring devices were centered on combined financial difficulties and the unavailability of glucose test strips (53.4%). The majority of the participants had good knowledge regarding blood glucose self-monitoring devices (90.5%). While a moderate level of practice was assessed (57.8%) and (33.5%) demonstrated poor practice. Significant correlations were found with employment (p=0.003) and education (p=0.044). Conclusion: Although the application of blood glucose self-monitoring devices is widespread among diabetic patients, direct participation by healthcare services remains necessary to ensure appropriate practices that align with patient education and device access.

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Please cite as: Knowledge and practice of blood glucose self-monitoring devices among diabetic patients. Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet. xx(xx): xx-xx (2026). DOI: 10.61873/XXXXXXX