Assessing The Existing Knowledge on Diabetes to Create Awareness on Its Root Cause: A Preventive Study

Samyuktha P, Pugazharasan, Kuberan

The present study explored an awareness on the preventive aspect on the root cause for diabetes in relevant to essential fatty acids rich food and its source, to change in the lifestyle, apart from screening, management, and treatment of diabetes.

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a major clinical and public health problem globally, accounting for 422 million people living with diabetes during 2014 and increasing the prevalence rate steadily. The present study aimed to assess the existing knowledge on diabetes to create awareness about the root cause for diabetes among the healthy population who graduated with biology background in and around Pondicherry. In the present study, 642 graduates voluntarily participated, a structured pre-tested questionnaire relevant to existing knowledge relevant to root cause for diabetes by assessing the cell membrane and fatty acids, mechanism of complication, low glycemic index, glycation, type of diabetes, and symptoms for diabetes. Results showed that only 17% of the population is aware of the importance of essential fatty acids in the cell membrane, 25% of participants are aware of the formation of glycation, and 28% of the population is aware that gluten-rich food leads to autoimmune disease.  Relevant to low glycemic index food, about 45% of the studied group were aware, about 44% were aware that glycogen stored in the muscle cell could not be released in the blood. Apart 93% aware of insulin action, 90% aware of types of diabetes, 100% aware of the symptoms of diabetes.  Overall, only 15% of the studied population showed existing knowledge on the root cause of diabetes on preventive aspect and this may still further decline in the general population and graduate from other non-biological backgrounds. The present study explored that warrant awareness on the preventive aspect on the root cause for diabetes in relevant to essential fatty acids rich food and its source, to change in the lifestyle, apart from screening, management, and treatment of diabetes.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus; knowledge; Low Glycemic Index

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