STRATEGIES FOR MEDICAL CARE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS DURING RAMADAN

Introduction: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the daylight fasting that accompanies it is one of the five pillars of Islam. Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory for all healthy adult Muslims, although exemptions exist for people with serious medical conditions, elderly, and children. Method: This cross-sectional survey study was done during a period from 10 June to 1 December 2016, A questionnaire design in Arabic language (national language of KSA) was distributed among eastern regions Saudi population through social media (as Facebook, twitter and what’s up). A total of 110 participants (known case of DM = 39, healthy = 71), aged from 15-60 years. Result: One hundred ten (110) participants shared in our study. Their mean age was 30 SD that ranges from 20-60 years. They were classified according to age into 3 age group. Group 1 (younger than 20 years) group 2 (20-40yrs) group 3 (older than 40yrs).Most of them was healthy, only 39 participants was affected by DM. They were subdivided according to their level of Education and knowledge about DM into have enough information and don’t have enough information. Discussion: In this study, we are interested to evaluate the role of health-care educator during Ramadan, include Campaigns, social media, medical staff in the Saudi population specifically the population of eastern region.. In 2015, the number of people living with diabetes globally was estimated to be 415 million, with a 55% rise expected by 2040 [2]. The number of patients with diabetes in the Middle East and Africa – a region where a high proportion of inhabitants are Muslim – is predicted to more than double by 2040. A similar increase is expected in South East Asia, another area where Islam predominates (2).