Knowledge and awareness on diabetes mellitus among the adult rural population of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

P. Chandrasekhar Rao; K. Surendranadha Reddy; K. Ramalinga Reddy; J. Lalu Naik; Dr. S. Narasimhulu; Kanala Kodanda Reddy

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Knowledge and awareness on diabetes mellitus among the adult rural population of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh

P. Chandrasekhar Rao, K. Surendranadha Reddy, K. Ramalinga Reddy, J. Lalu Naik, Dr. S. Narasimhulu, Kanala Kodanda Reddy

Abstract :

An attempt has been made in the present study to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding diabetes among the adults of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 4850 healthy adults of both genders >20 years of age were screened by administering open ended standardized questionnaire in a cross sectional design. Knowledge on diabetes was recorded to an extent of 84 percent. Half of the study subjects felt that diabetes can damage other organs like feet, heart, eye etc. 58 percent opined that diabetes can be prevented. Opinion of the subjects regarding diabetes mellitus towards due to consumption of sweets was about 25 percent, obesity for about 20 percent, decreased physical activity and stress each about 11 percent respectively. The average score assessed through visual analogue scale on knowledge and awareness was 10.41 out of 18 (57.84%). Subjects with higher education were 1.288 times (95%CI: 1,250, 1.326; p<0.05) better when compared with illiterates in terms of knowledge and awareness on diabetes. Similarly subjects with business and higher income showed better score. In conclusion, this study reflects the poor knowledge and awareness about diabetes in rural India, hence policy measures are warranted to take the message at gross root level