Assessment of Level of Awareness for Diabetes Mellitus, Its Systemic and Ocular Complications: A Questionnaire-Based Survey at Tertiary Care Centre of Kumaon Region

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the important public health problem. There are currently 415 million people affected worldwide and number is increasing day by day to an epidemic proportion. Diabetes is a lifestyle related metabolic disorder; besides genetic factor other risk factors are also involved in causation. Gravity of situation is compounded by the fact that fifty percent cases of diabetes remain undiagnosed until complication appear. A change in lifestyle, weight reduction, activity and improved awareness about diabetes can delay diabetic related complication. METHODSA cross-sectional questionnaire based interview of 450 patients was carried out in diabetic OPD of Dr. Susheela Tiwari Memorial Hospital associated with Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand. The question regarding patient's demographic characteristic and awareness of various aspect of diabetes including general knowledge, cause, complication and prevention were asked. RESULTIn present study, 302 (67.1%) knew what diabetes is. Most of the patients, i.e. 383 (85.1%) patients in present study were not aware about symptoms of diabetes. Among studied patients, 249 (55.3%) did not know that diabetes can cause ocular complication. Nearly half (48.8%) patients were not aware about the cause of diabetes; 168 (37.3%) patients were not aware about specific organ involvement in diabetes. The main source of awareness about diabetes was family members and friends, i.e. 201 (44.7%). A large number of patients (n=215, 47.7%) were not aware about preventive measure of diabetes. CONCLUSIONThis study clearly indicates that despite a good literacy rate, patient's knowledge about preventive measures is still low. There is a need to improve awareness regarding diabetes and its different aspect in the community. KEYWORDSAwareness, Diabetes Mellitus, Systemic and Ocular Complication, Questionnaire-Based Survey, Kumaon.HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Satyawali V, Pandey S, Sharma V, et al. Assessment of level of awareness for diabetes mellitus, its systemic and ocular complications: a questionnaire-based survey at tertiary care centre of Kumaon region.

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