Lack of knowledge about diabetes in Pune—the city of knowledge!

Abstract

India is experiencing an escalating epidemic of diabetes for which the most cost-effective solution is prevention. Awareness is the first step towards prevention. We undertook a questionnaire-based study to evaluate gaps in awareness of different implications of diabetes among various sections of the urban population of Pune. Individuals aged ≥13 years (378 diabetic, 1122 non-diabetic) from different socio-economic backgrounds were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Awareness regarding causes, symptoms, complications, treatment and preventive measures, curability of diabetes and long-term implications of diabetes in pregnancy was evaluated. An awareness score was calculated based on the percent of total questions correctly answered. Of those surveyed, 78 % scored less than 50 %, 44 % did not know the meaning of diabetes, 30 % could not name any of the risk factors, symptoms, complications and preventive measures for diabetes, and 70 % were unaware of the long-term risks of diabetes in pregnancy. As a group, diabetic participants scored marginally better than non-diabetic participants (mean score 39 vs. 31 %; P<0.001). Participants at high risk of diabetes (sedentary workers, non-diabetic participants with first-degree family history of diabetes and non-diabetic hypertensive participants) had poor knowledge about the condition (mean scores <40 %). Lower age, lower education and male gender were independently associated with poor awareness; education was the strongest predictor. Awareness regarding different implications of diabetes is poor in the population of Pune. There is a need for widespread and extensive public education campaigns to raise awareness and contribute to the national diabetes prevention initiatives.

Awareness and Perceptions of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors, Preventability, and Complications Among College Students in Visakhapatnam, India

“…4,7 Asian Indians develop DM2 at a younger age and at a lower body mass index compared with western populations. 8 Limaye et al 9 stress the importance of modifications in lifestyle in the prevention of DM2 such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and obesity and that this can only be achieved if individuals' awareness of the preventability and control of the disease is improved. Assessing awareness of preventability and control of DM2 is a critical first step toward designing appropriate health education and intervention programs.…”

“…10 A more recent study in Chennai showed that knowledge was particularly low in women and the low literate population. 11 There is limited literature on awareness of the preventability and control of DM2 in India, 9 and no studies of college or university students specifically have been reported. University students living in Visakhapatnam, India may represent a population at high risk for diabetes due to factors such as rapid urbanization of the city and other lifestyle factors common among college students that might contribute to diabetes.…”

RSSDI-ESI clinical practice recommendations for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus 2020

“…[ 51 ] Evidence from several studies determining the level of knowledge and awareness on diabetes across India suggests that most of the patients had poor knowledge and awareness about their condition. [ 912 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 ] Low socio-economic status, old age, cultural factors, lack of access to healthcare, family history of diabetes, and importantly low literacy levels were the major predictors of poor glycaemic control among patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 100 patients attending the diabetic unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in central India.…”

Efficacy of a virtual assistance‐based lifestyle intervention in reducing risk factors for Type 2 diabetes in young employees in the information technology industry in India: LIMIT, a randomized controlled trial

“…Plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were measured using standard kits (coefficient of variation <4%). A pretested questionnaire was used to record demographic details, medical and family history, lifestyle recall (diet, physical activity and substance use) and awareness of diabetes .…”