A study on diabetes conducted in the city has revealed that around 80 per cent of the people suffering from the disease are well aware of the ill effects of a bad dietary regimen. However, 78 per cent of diabetics don’t seek professional help in planning their diets, and only around 14 per cent of them actually monitor their blood glucose regularly.
The survey, conducted by Heal Foundation and Saathi Healthcare on a sample of 500 families across Mumbai, has thrown up several such facts that display the lack
of awareness when it
comes to diabetes. It states that around 40 per cent and 34 per cent of diabetics check their glucose levels once every three months and once a month respectively. More shocking is
the fact that nearly 55 per cent don’t consult an endocrinologist even during emergencies. Finally, the survey has shown that while 48 per cent of diabetics manage the disease on their own; 90 per cent of the remaining 52 per cent depend on the women (mother, wife or sister) in the family.
In the light of the findings of the survey, Dr Hemraj Chandalia, director, Diabetes Endocrine Nutrition Management and Research Centre (DENMARC), said, “Women being the primary caregiver in most cases are even more important than the diabetic, when it comes to monitoring diabetes and precautions. Unfortunately, the importance of regular blood glucose monitoring is not recognised amongst these caregivers. A majority of these women also don’t seek dietary advice from professionals.” Dr Chandalia added that this situation needs to change, and only then can it go a long way in keeping the ailment under control, and at times curing it completely too.”
The survey also revealed an important social aspect with regard to the caregiver. “A woman looking after a diabetic in the family automatically adapts to the role of a doctor, counsellor, psychologist and dietician, apart from her usual role of a mother or wife of sister or whatever may be the case. So it’s important that their awareness of everything about the disease is greater. Educating them on the importance of regular health check-ups in general and on regular blood glucose monitoring in particular is going to be the key factor,” founder director of Saarthi healthcare Ranjeeta V. Vinil said.
Experts believe that long-term awareness and educational programmes for women may have a visible impact on the burgeoning incidence of the disease in a country that till recently was the diabetes capital of the world. “Women will have to be educated and empowered, if diabetes and its complications are to be stopped from multiplying,” Dr Chandalia said.
Keeping in mind the approaching World Diabetes Day, the Heal Foundation and Saathi Healthcare is also launching a 15-day long campaign — “Women for Diabetes Care”.