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Myths and facts about diabetes
There are 67 million diabetics in India with another 30 million in pre-diabetes group. What is more alarming is that majority of diabetics and people otherwise are living with the myths about the disease and not aware about the actual fact.
Key findings of the study
• 38% Indians have no idea that diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas
• 41% diabetics had a family history of diabetes, 45% had no idea that their children have higher chance of getting diabetes and a significant 36% of them believed diabetes skips a generation
• While 24% diabetics are below the age of 40, a whopping 60% believe diabetes occurs in old age.
• 32% Indians do not take border-line diabetes seriously
• 40% are unable to identify dizziness and sweating as signs of low sugar
• 1 in 3 ignorant about signs and symptoms of high blood sugars
There are 67 million diabetics in India with another 30 million in pre-diabetes group. What is more alarming is that majority of diabetics and people otherwise are living with the myths about the disease and not aware about the actual fact. Diabetes Myths & Truths, a study conducted by Lifespan, showed that only an abysmal 21 per cent Indians had fairly good knowledge of diabetes.
Lifespan assessed the nationwide awareness of diabetes using the Diabetes Knowledge Index to map the myths and misconceptions about diabetes. The survey threw up alarming facts that would need immediate attention of the government, healthcare policy managers and officials.The study was conducted among 7822 Indians in 11 cities, and the data was compared with cumulative data from 13697 patients who visited Lifespan and took Lifespan’s R.I.S.C.TM (TM-OXI) test.
The study showed that while 78 per cent of diabetics in the country have higher cardiometabolic scores, 1 in 3 Indians are ignorant about the fact that diabetes could lead to heart disease. The study also showed that while 69 per cent diabetics have higher risk of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, 40 per cent are unaware that the disease can cause numbness in their hands, fingers and feet which can progress to neuropathy.
From the nationally representative data, 54% were diabetic and 46% non-diabetics. The Diabetes knowledge Index of the Indians showed that only 21% have good knowledge, whereas 63% have moderate and 16% have poor diabetes knowledge index. Between diabetics and non-diabetics, the diabetics scored better on the Diabetes Knowledge index which assess people’s view regarding knowledge of people about causes, symptoms and complications of Diabetes complications.
The results showed the need for taking concrete steps towards management of such a chronic disease. Diabetes is not a lifestyle disorder limited to classes but extends to the masses, hence it’s important for the policy makers to design more programmes and invest in resources to spread diabetes education. Such a move can limit the morbidity and mortality rate as well as help extend the quality of life.
