Beliefs and practices of Chinese diabetic patients concerning the cause and treatment of their ill-health

Information on the beliefs and practices of 50 Chinese diabetic patients concerning the cause and treatment of their ill-health were collected by the interview method with the aid of a questiOnnaire which has been protested. it was found that 34 of the patients were using “Chinese” medicines, in addition to Western-style treatment. Only two of the patients knew the true cause of diabetes. 37 of the patients understood that treatment cannot effect a radical cure. The beliefs and practices of the diabetic patients were influenced by two main sources of information, the pattern of traditional Chinese beliefs and Western medicine. The implications of the study in community health education on diabetes and education of the diabetic patient were discussed.