Knowledge and awareness of diabetes in urban and rural India: The Indian Council of Medical Research India Diabetes Study (Phase I): Indian Council of Medical Research India Diabetes 4

Abstract

Background:Representative data on knowledge and awareness about diabetes is scarce in India and is extremely important to plan public health policies aimed at preventing and controlling diabetes.Aim:The aim of the following study is to assess awareness and knowledge about diabetes in the general population, as well as in individuals with diabetes in four selected regions of India.Materials and Methods:The study subjects were drawn from a representative sample of four geographical regions of India, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Maharashtra representing North, South, East and West and covering a population of 213 million. A total of 16,607 individuals (5112 urban and 11,495 rural) aged ≥20 years were selected from 188 urban and 175 rural areas. Awareness of diabetes and knowledge of causative factors and complications of diabetes were assessed using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire in 14,274 individuals (response rate, 86.0%), which included 480 self-reported diabetic subjects.Results:Only 43.2% (6160/14,274) of the overall study population had heard about a condition called diabetes. Overall urban residents had higher awareness rates (58.4%) compared to rural residents (36.8%) (P < 0.001). About 46.7% of males and 39.6% of females reported that they knew about a condition called diabetes (P < 0.001). Of the general population, 41.5% (5726/13,794) knew about a condition called diabetes. Among them, 80.7% (4620/5726) knew that the prevalence of diabetes was increasing, whereas among diabetic subjects, it was 93.0% (448/480). Among the general and diabetic population, 56.3% and 63.4% respectively, were aware that diabetes could be prevented. Regarding complications, 51.5% of the general population and 72.7% diabetic population knew that diabetes could affect other organs. Based on a composite knowledge score to assess knowledge among the general population, Tamil Nadu had the highest (31.7) and Jharkhand the lowest score (16.3). However among self-reported diabetic subjects, Maharashtra had the highest (70.1) and Tamil Nadu, the lowest score (56.5).Conclusion:Knowledge and awareness about diabetes in India, particularly in rural areas, is poor. This underscores the need for conducting large scale diabetes awareness and education programs.

Knowledge and Awareness about Diabetes Mellitus and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus - Review

“…Most of the studies have depicted a direct relation between knowledge about DM and the level of education (Babaee et al, 2007;Bruce, Davis, Cull, & Davis, 2003;Çaliskan, Ozdemir, Ocaktan, &Idil, 2006;Deepa et al, 2014;Fezeu, et al, 2010;Murugesan et al, 2007) but contrary findings were obtained from the study conducted by Ulvi et al (2009). Fezeu et al(2010) and Ulvi et al (2009) found that the family history of DM played an important role in the awareness of DM.…”

“…The prevalence of risk behaviour for DM included tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical inactivity among select participants (Singh, Milton, Nanaiah, Samuel & Thomas, 2012). It needs to be noted that obesity was not reported as a risk factor for DM by the majority of participants (Deepa et al, 2014).…”

“…While few other studies remarked on variations in the knowledge of DM among participants (Fezeu, Fointama, Ngufor, Mbeh & Mbanya, 2010;Mahajerin, Fras, Vanhecke & Ledesma, 2008). Deepa et al (2014), Mumu, Saleh, Ara, Haque, & Ali (2014) and Ulvi, et al (2009) found that the majority of participants were unaware of the associated risk factors. Contrary findings were found in the study by Wee, Ho, & Li (2002).…”

“…The awareness and knowledge about DM were assessed among the general population by Deepa et al (2014) in four selected regions of India. There was a significant disparity in the level of knowledge between different regions.…”

International Models of Care that Address the Growing Diabetes Prevalence in Developing Countries

“…Many LMICs, particularly in rural settings, lack the personnel and properly equipped clinics needed to provide specialized care [31,32]. Additionally, public awareness of diabetes status and management is low, and many clinics and patients cannot afford diabetes treatment [33][34][35][36].…”