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Study
Above 60% Urban India Unaware of Diabetes Complications
Awareness levels about insulin is highest in Chennai
According to a survey conducted by market research firm IMRB and commissioned
by world leader in diabetes care - Novo Nordisk, more than 60 per cent of the
Indian urban public does not know that uncontrolled diabetes affects primary
organs like heart, kidney and eyes.
The survey covered six cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangaluru and
Ahmedabad) and 600 respondents between the ages 35 - 60. Half of the respondents
had diabetes and half without diabetes. The survey which showed that almost
half of respondents without diabetes (51 per cent) felt that they would never
get diabetes and about one-fifth of the respondents regarded obesity as the
primary cause of diabetes, while an equal number of them maintained that diabetes
is predominantly inherited.
The survey also revealed that most (60 per cent respondents) feel that people
become diabetic at the age of 35 - 50 years and more than half the respondents
considered frequent urination and uncured wounds as the key symptoms of diabetes.
Delhi was found to having highest (49 per cent) instances of family history
of diabetes, while awareness levels about insulin was highest in Chennai. Awareness
about the parts of the body that could be affected by diabetes is the lowest
in Mumbai with almost 20 per cent of diabetics and 55 per cent of non-diabetics
unable to answer this question. The survey also found that residents of Bangaluru
are very conscious about physical exercise with about one third of them believing
that lack of physical exercise is a major cause of diabetes. Consequently almost
all the respondents (94 per cent) were following some kind of exercise regimen.
Significantly despite India having the largest population of people with diabetes
in the world, more than 28 per cent of the respondents said that the possibility
of an average Indian being affected by diabetes was low or negligible. The study
also revealed that most people with diabetes were unaware that the HbA1C test
is the right indicator of their blood glucose control with only 15 per cent
mentioning it.
The results of the survey bring to light the lack of awareness among Indians
despite India having the world's largest population of people with diabetes
— 50.8 million as per the latest IDF statistics.
- About 75% of people surveyed thought that
taking insulin reduces complication.
- Among the diabetic respondents, the awareness
about HB1AC test was highest in Ahmedabad and lowest in Kolkata.
- Kolkata has the lowest instances of family
history of diabetes with about one - tenth of all respondents (diabetic
and non - diabetic) having a family history of diabetes.
- In contrast to other cities a majority
(64%) of the respondents in Chennai think that there is a high (50 -
75%) possibility for an average Indian to be affected by diabetes.
- Diabetics in Delhi get regular blood tests
done with about 85% of them having undergone blood tests in the last
three months, while diabetics in Bangaluru do not get their blood sugar
levels checked regularly. Around 15 % of them have not checked their
sugar levels in the past oneyear.
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EH News Bureau
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