Diabetes Knowledge and Awareness 

• Awareness and knowledge regarding diabetes is still grossly inadequate in India.¹

• In a study of 26,000 adults in Chennai, the largest city in Southern India, nearly 25% of the population was unaware of a condition called diabetes. Only 22% of the whole population and 41% of the known diabetic subjects were aware that diabetes could be prevented. ²

• Knowledge of the role of obesity and physical inactivity in producing diabetes was very low, with only 12% of study subjects reporting these as risk factors for diabetes.

• Only 19% of whole population and 41% of diabetic subjects knew that diabetes could cause complications (See Diabetes South India).²

• Although a study was conducted in Chennai, the information is probably applicable to all of India.

• Massive diabetes education programs are urgently needed both in urban and rural India.³

Sources

1. Hawthorne K, Mello M, Tomlinson S. Cultural and religious influences in diabetes care in Great Britain. Diabet Med. Jan-Feb 1993;10(1):8-12.

2. Mohan V, Deepa M, Farooq S, Datta M, Deepa R. Prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Chennai–The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES-52). J Assoc Physicians India. May 2007;55:326-332.

3. Mohan D, Raj D, Shanthirani CS, et al. Awareness and knowledge of diabetes in Chennai–the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES-9]. J Assoc Physicians India. Apr 2005;53:283-287.