Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus among General Population

 

S. Preethikaa1, Dr. M. P. Brundha2

1Graduate Student, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, 162, Poonamalle High Road, Vellapanchavadi, Chennai 600077

2Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, 162, Poonamalle High Road, Vellapanchavadi, Chennai 600077

*Corresponding Author E-mail: generalpath2015@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

AIM: To create awareness about diabetes mellitus among general population. OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of awareness about causes, signs and symptoms, investigations, prevention, Treatment and complications of Diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 patients who reported to Saveetha dental college, aged between 15 to 70 years. A self administered questionnaire was used to investigate patient’s awareness and knowledge of Diabetes mellitus. BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in India. There is an urgent need to educate the people about different aspects of diabetes mellitus -causes, risk factors diagnosis and treatment so that they may protect themselves from this disease. The participants of this study ranged between 15-70 years. RESULT: With the data collected 96.8% were aware of source, symptoms, complication, investigation of diabetes mellitus and remaining 3.2% were unaware about it.

 

KEYWORDS: Diabetes Mellitus, hyperglycemia.

 


INTRODUCTION:

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.[2] Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger. If left untreated, diabetes can cause many complications. [3] Acute complications include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma. [4] Serious long-term complications include cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.

 

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly encountered diseases .1 Worldwide, it was estimated that the prevalence rate among adults was 4% in 1995 and this is expected to increase to 5.4% by 2025.

 

Type 1 diabetes is primarily the result of autoimmune destruction of beta cells. Type 2 diabetes is found in those with resistance to the action of insulin, usually as a result of obesity, and deficient insulin secretion. Insulin use not only prevents hyperglycemic emergencies, but also is the best safeguard to prevent the long-term complications of diabetes by correcting fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia. Intensive glycemic control can lead to a substantial decrease in the development of microvascular changes found in patients with diabetes.

 

Compared to other parts of the world, Kuwait has a higher prevalence of diabetes. [5] In 2010 a study was done and showed that 20% of Kuwaiti population are diabetic. The complications associated with diabetes besides significant mortality are, diabetes-related morbidities such as diabetic retinopathy [6], neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. These complications result in a significant morbidity and mortality rate which have placed a heavy financial burden on the society.

 

Diabetes is a silent disease; many sufferers became aware that they have diabetes only when they develop one of its life-threatening complications. Knowledge of diabetes mellitus can assist in early detection of the disease and reduce the incidence of complications. This can be achieved by improving the knowledge of the general population of the disease at early stage of life. [7]

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A cross sectional study was conducted among patients reported to Saveetha dental college, age between 15 to 70 years. A self administered questionnaire was used to investigate patient’s awareness and knowledge of diabetes mellitus. A total of 100 patients were asked to answer the questionnaire, of which 60 were males and 40 females. The questionnaire was divided into two sections. First section contained information about age, sex and occupation. Second section was regarding the knowledge about the disease. The patients were asked about questions regarding previous family history, causes, symptoms, investigation, treatment and complications of diabetes mellitus. [8]

 

RESULT:

This study evaluated the awareness of diabetes mellitus among general population with the help of a questionnaire. A total of 100 patients were included in this study. The participants of this study ranged between 15-70 years of which, 35%were 20-30 years, 45%were 30-50 years and 20%were above the age of 50.In that 60% were male and 40% were female. The educational qualification of the participants was also assessed. 45% had passed 12th, 50% being graduates and 5% professionals. Table 1 and 2 shows family has the most source of information among media, internet and doctors. Causes of diabetes include genetics, obesity, and stress and cell dysfunction. Table 4 includes the risk factors of diabetes like obesity, alcohol, hereditary, balanced diet, hypertension, cholesterol and family history. Table 5 shows symptoms of diabetes like excessive eating, excessive drinking, and slow healing of wounds, weight loss and tiredness. Table 6 shows awareness factors of diabetes mellitus. Table 7 shows investigations of diabetes mellitus like random blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, fasting blood sugar, oral glucose tolerance test and urine test. Table 8 shows treatment for diabetes like medications, insulin, healthy eating and physical activity. Table 9 reveals most of the people aware about the complications of diabetes mellitus. Table 10 shows the complications of diabetes which includes cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, eye damage, kidney damage, foot damage, and skin and eye infections.

 

 

Table 1: Source of Information

 

 

Table 2: Family history

 

 

Table 3: Causes of Diabetes

 

 

Table 4: Risk factors of Diabetes

 

 

Table 5: Symptoms of Diabetes

 

 

Fig: 6 Awareness of Investigations of Diabetes

 

 

Table 7: Investigations of Diabetes Mellitus

 

 

Table 8: Treatment of Diabetes

 

 

Fig 9: Awareness about the complications

 

 

Table 10: Complications of DiabetesDISCUSSION:

 

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in India. There is a urgent need to educate the people about different aspects of diabetes mellitus -causes, risk factors diagnosis and treatment so that they may protect themselves from this disease. Table 1 shows that for 90% of people the source of information of the disease was family members, followed by doctors 10%. In the information collected, patients gave a family history of 75% being affected by diabetes mellitus and remaining 25% were not affected(Table 2). Table 3 shows that the causes of diabetes are 75% genetics, obesity 15% stress about 10%. Table 4 includes information about risk factors like obesity 10% and because of family history 90%. Table 5 shows awareness on the symptoms of the disease with excessive thirst to be 76%, slow healing of wounds 10% and weight loss and appetite 14%. Table 6 shows that about 90 % of people were aware about investigation procedures and 10% were totally unaware of it. Table 7 shows that 80% were aware of Random Blood Sugar and 10% were aware of urine test as the investigations of diabetes.100 % of people were aware about the treatment for diabetes mellitus. In that Table 8 shows 69% were aware of the medication, 18% were aware of insulin, 5% were aware of healthy eating and 8% were aware of physical exercise. 88% were aware of complications and remaining 12% had inadequate knowledge about it . Table 9 depicts the awareness about the complications of diabetes   that 20% said cardiovascular disease, 28% kidney damage and remaining 40 % said foot damage. With the data collected 96.8% were aware of source, symptoms, complication, investigation of diabetes mellitus and remaining 3.2% were unaware about it.

 

According to our study results, more than half of people were aware of diabetes mellitus which is in accordance with the study conducted among the people of Klang district,selangor [9] but  this finding is in contrast with that of Muninarayana et al. who reported that 50% of diabetic patients in Tamaka Kolar (India) had no knowledge of diabetes . Similar findings have also been reported from Kenya [10]. (2) Regarding the causes,100 % of the people were aware about it in our study,which is in contrast to the study conducted in Gambia where 53% of people were unaware about the causes.3)Knowledge of DM such as loss of vision, poor wound healing and weight loss appeared to be somewhat better than knowledge of non-visible complications such as heart failure, kidney failure and stroke. [11]This observation is consistent with findings reported by Unadike et al.[12,13] and Muninarayana et al.4) The finding about the source of Diabetes mellitus is  in contrast with that of Hashmi et al., who reported that most patients in Lohore (India) were unaware that diabetes runs in the family [14]5)Regarding the treatment nearly 69% of people were aware ,that they have to take medication for lifelong and regylarly which is in contrast with the study by  Kurian B,et al  [15]that Disturbingly nearly half of the diabetic respondents (44.3%) were unaware that they have to take medication lifelong and regularly. Similar observation was made by Gulabani et al. among diabetic patients attending a tertiary care setting.[16].

 

CONCLUSION:

The average mean values of this study were found to be only 96.8% of the general population were aware of the disease and the remaining 3.2% was not well aware. Thus this study brings us a need to create massive awareness among the Indian public population through health education programmes, pamphlets and workshops and media. This awareness can be achieved only if each one of us work hand in hand and play our part with responsibility.

 

Public awareness and patient empowerment can play a leading role in treating diabetes and its sequel which should be given priority. This can be achieved by utilizing existing human resources such as health workers, physician assistants, and social workers. They can be trained to identify high-risk groups in the community and also to impart diabetes education using culturally appropriate behaviour change communication strategies. It should not only undermine the major role to be played by the doctors, who can easily inspire their patients, as motivation is main thing for behaviour change. Thus, everyone in the health team can play a crucial role. These measures will definitely pave way to reduce health-care expenditure and indirect costs due to lost productivity.

 

 

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12.   Unadike BC, Chineye S. Knowledge, awareness, and impact of diabetes among adolescents in Uyo, Nigeria. African Journal of Diabetes Medicine. 2009;13:12–14.

13      Muninarayana C, Hiremath G, Krishna I, Anil NS. Prevalence and awareness regarding diabetes mellitus in rural Tamaka, Kolar. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries. 2010;13(1):18–21. doi: 10.4103/0973-3930.60005.

14      Hashmi NR, Seema D, Iram M. Awareness tmong individuals attending out Patient department of ghurki trust teaching hospital. Professional Med J. 2008;13(1):96–100.

15      Kurian B,Qurieshi MA,Ganesh R,Leelamoni L.A community based study on knowledge of diabetes mellitus amongst adults in a rural population of kerala.Int J Non Commun Dis 2016;1;59-64.

16      Gulabani M, John M, Isaac R. Knowledge of diabetes, its treatment and complications amongst diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital. Indian J Community Med 2008;33:204-6.

 

 

 

 

Received on 18.12.2017             Modified on 21.01.2018

Accepted on 17.03.2018           © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2018; 11(5):1825-1829

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00339.6