Authors : Anil Thammisetty, Lakshmi Badam, Kiran Mortha, Usha Pothu, Lakshmana Nelakudithi
DOI : 10.5455/ijmsph.2020.08144202002102020
Volume : 9
Issue : 9
Year : 2020
Page No : 1
Background: The burden of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing rapidly in India. Knowledge regarding this will play a crucial role in its prevention and control. Objective: The present survey was conducted to assess awareness on various aspects of diabetes among T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done among Type2 diabetes mellitus patients. Group 1 comprised 120 newly diagnosed cases while Group 2 comprised 120 old cases with <5 years duration. Demographic data and awareness of participants on T2DM were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Score was assigned for each question and mean ± S.D scores were calculated. P-value was calculated using Student's t-test. Results: Inter-group comparison showed that male and female participants of Group 2 have better awareness than male and female participants of Group 1. Intra-group comparison showed that, higher the category of each of the four socio-demographic variables, better is the awareness among the participants. Participants of both Group 1 and group 2 showed poor awareness regarding risk factors and complications of T2DM. Group 1 also showed poor awareness regarding symptoms and management when compared to Group 2. Conclusion: There is a need for improving overall awareness regarding T2DM particularly about the risk factors and complications, especially among the participants belonging to the lower categories of socio-demographic variables. Physicians and other healthcare workers should play a primary role in creating this awareness, hand-in-hand with public health education programs and media.