Awareness of Diabetes and Its Complications Among Diabetes Patients and Their Care Takers Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai Suburban Area

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study is to analyze and compare the level of awareness among the diabetic patients and their non-diabetic care takers. Even though various studies have analyzed the awareness levels of the disease and its complications in diabetic patients, there is yet a need to assess the awareness of the disease among the patients' care takers. METHODS It is a cross sectional study. A self-designed questionnaire was given to 500 study participants (both diabetic patients and their non-diabetic care takers) above the age of 18, attending the SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center. The obtained data was assessed and compared by using SPSS Ver. 15. RESULTS Of all the diabetic patients, 47% knew about the disease process and causative factors and only 38% knew about its complications. Of the total non-diabetic care takers, 53% had the knowledge about the disease process and its cause and 39% knew about the complications. p value was not significant in our study which implied both the groups were inadequately aware of the disease and its complications. CONCLUSIONS The level of knowledge and awareness about diabetes and its complications is insufficient in both patients and their care takers which indicates the need to educate them about the disease to combat the morbidity and mortality of the disease.