Objective: This study is aimed to evaluate knowledge about the disease, some behavioral habits and the level of compliance to pharmacological treatment, in a sample of diabetic patients, attending at hospital institution in the city of Bucaramanga (Colombia), during 2016. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease whose prevalence is increasing significantly in developing countries. Materials and Methods: cross sectional, descriptive study; a sample of 411 diabetic, aged over 35 years, who consulted at cardiovascular risk program, answered in the period between January and December 2016, a self-administered questionnaire that included the instruments IMEVID, Berbés and modified SMMS; Additionally, sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, stratum, education, were included. Results: 90% had a low socioeconomic status and 82.7% only reached primary studies or less. High Pharmacological adherence was observed in only 3.65%, medium adherence in 87.83% and low at 8.52%. Mean level of knowledge about diabetes was 13.32; Almost half (46.72%) scored below the average; Mean of glycosylated hemoglobin was 7.93%; 34.8% scored above this value. 18.7% have an inadequate lifestyle (IMEVID score <60). Low adherence found associated with: alcohol intake, IMEVID score <60, Ask more after eating, have a job and don’t use insulin. Conclusion: it is necessary to establish learning strategies and methodologies of motivation and training for diabetic patients, to improve quality of life and knowledge of the diabetes and, in this way, optimize the prognosis of the disease.