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Lack of knowledge about diabetes in Pune—the city of knowledge!

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International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

India is experiencing an escalating epidemic of diabetes for which the most cost-effective solution is prevention. Awareness is the first step towards prevention. We undertook a questionnaire-based study to evaluate gaps in awareness of different implications of diabetes among various sections of the urban population of Pune. Individuals aged ≥13 years (378 diabetic, 1122 non-diabetic) from different socio-economic backgrounds were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Awareness regarding causes, symptoms, complications, treatment and preventive measures, curability of diabetes and long-term implications of diabetes in pregnancy was evaluated. An awareness score was calculated based on the percent of total questions correctly answered. Of those surveyed, 78 % scored less than 50 %, 44 % did not know the meaning of diabetes, 30 % could not name any of the risk factors, symptoms, complications and preventive measures for diabetes, and 70 % were unaware of the long-term risks of diabetes in pregnancy. As a group, diabetic participants scored marginally better than non-diabetic participants (mean score 39 vs. 31 %; P < 0.001). Participants at high risk of diabetes (sedentary workers, non-diabetic participants with first-degree family history of diabetes and non-diabetic hypertensive participants) had poor knowledge about the condition (mean scores <40 %). Lower age, lower education and male gender were independently associated with poor awareness; education was the strongest predictor. Awareness regarding different implications of diabetes is poor in the population of Pune. There is a need for widespread and extensive public education campaigns to raise awareness and contribute to the national diabetes prevention initiatives.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Special thanks are due to Ms. Pooja Jadhav, Ms. Shweta Kate (research assistants) and colleagues from the Diabetes Unit, KEM Hospital, and the Health Sciences Department, University of Pune, for all their help. We thank the management of the participating institutes for their support. We are grateful to the survey participants for their contribution and cooperation.

Conflict of interest

None

Authors’ contribution

Chittaranjan Yajnik, Tejas Limaye and Sonali Wagle planned the study and wrote and edited the manuscript. Kalyanaraman Kumaran and Arun Nanivadekar wrote and edited the manuscript. Charudatta Joglekar analysed the data and edited the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes Unit, King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital Research Center, 6th Floor, Banoo Coyaji Building, Rasta Peth, Pune, Maharashtra, 411011, India

    Tejas Y. Limaye, Sonali S. Wagle, Kalyanaraman Kumaran, Charudatta V. Joglekar & Chittaranjan S. Yajnik

  2. MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Kalyanaraman Kumaran

  3. Medical Research Consultant, Mumbai, India

    Arun Nanivadekar

Authors
  1. Tejas Y. Limaye
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  2. Sonali S. Wagle
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  3. Kalyanaraman Kumaran
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  4. Charudatta V. Joglekar
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  5. Arun Nanivadekar
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  6. Chittaranjan S. Yajnik
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kalyanaraman Kumaran.

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Limaye, T.Y., Wagle, S.S., Kumaran, K. et al. Lack of knowledge about diabetes in Pune—the city of knowledge!. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 36, 263–270 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-015-0367-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-015-0367-3

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