Diabetes Awareness

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.

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