Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG THE SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION - A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY STUDY

Elavarasi Baalamurugan* and Indusha Palani

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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus poses a substantial global health challenge, with India ranking as the second most affected country, home to an estimated 77 million individuals living with the condition. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the awareness and knowledge levels pertaining to type 2 diabetes mellitus within the South Indian population. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional survey approach, both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals were engaged to gauge their familiarity with type 2 diabetes. A meticulously designed questionnaire consisting of 25 questions encompassing disease understanding, dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and medication specifics was disseminated through Google Forms. Recruitment efforts were directed through email and prominent social media platforms like WhatsApp. A total of 553 responses were meticulously collected, subjected to rigorous analysis, and subjected to statistical evaluation. Demographically, 48% of the participants were male, while 52% were female. Remarkably, 79% of respondents demonstrated a commendable level of knowledge concerning the disease, with the remaining 21% exhibiting gaps in understanding. Inquiries related to dietary habits and lifestyle factors revealed that nearly 77% of participants possessed a degree of awareness, whereas 23% lacked it. Conversely, in the domain of medication-related queries, 47% displayed a robust knowledge base, while 53% exhibited knowledge gaps. The findings underscore a noteworthy level of awareness among the population regarding diabetes mellitus, including its symptoms, nature, lifestyle implications, and associated risks. Nevertheless, substantial awareness gaps persist, emphasizing the critical need for more effective health promotion strategies aimed at addressing these gaps within the general population. Such initiatives hold substantial promise in combating the escalating diabetes epidemic in India and improving overall public health outcomes.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, knowledge and awareness, type 2 diabetes, diabetes, survey study.