Abstract

Background: Worldwide, diabetes mellitus (DM) is major non-communicable disease. Information of the disease to patients can prevent morbidities of DM and hence will improve quality of life. For the development of type 2 DM, family history is non-modifiable risk factor. Awareness of people about risk of diabetes will help them in early and proper treatment. It will also enable them to tackle disease in long run of life.

Aims and Objectives: This study was planned to find out relation between family history of DM and awareness of DM.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 500 participants. The study was conducted in Pune city and participants were randomly selected from various health camps in Pune urban area. The validated diabetes awareness questionnaire was administered to the study participants. Participants having a family history of diabetes and those not having a family history of diabetes were separated, and statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test.

Results: It was observed that there was more awareness about DM in subjects having a family history of diabetes than those who do not have a family history of DM. Subjects with a family history of diabetes were having statistically significant awareness about symptoms of diabetes, organs affected due to diabetes and organ damage (P < 0.05). There was equal awareness regarding prevention and test to detect DM (P > 0.05). Subjects having a family history are more aware about the disease as compared those who did not have a family history.

Conclusion: Mass awareness programs should be conducted to increase awareness in whole population for early diagnosis and prevention of disease.

Key words: Family History of Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Awareness; Urban Population