Perception of Diabetes among youth and prevention strategy
14 December 2013, 18:10 PM
UPDATED
15 December 2013, 00:29 AM
SSM Sadrul Huda, Segufta Dilshad and Dr Tareq Salahuddin
Bangladesh has been experiencing epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases with a huge burden of Diabetes and other chronic diseases. Research and surveys around the world shows that Diabetes is gradually affecting more people at their young age. Urbanisation, unhealthy food habit and sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity and increasing obesity are some major reasons behind the increase of the disease burden on young people. Many people in this group are not often aware of Diabetes, have misconception and do not know that there are ways to prevent or delay it.
In order to know the perception of young people about diabetes and its preventive strategy, a study has been recently conducted by the Diabetic Wellbeing Foundation (DWF) that surveyed university students of Dhaka City who are at the age range between 15 to 28 years.
It is crucial to know the youth's assessment of their risk of getting Diabetes. The greater the risk of getting diabetes, the more a person engages in activities that increases the risk. Regarding the cause of Diabetes, among the youth of private universities of Bangladesh, 27.8% of the youth believe that chronic disease like diabetes are given by God. However, quite a good percentage of youth population (49.3%) believe that Diabetes is not given by God and 22.9% of the youth do not have any perception regarding the causes of the chronic condition. Similarly, Diabetes is considered as curse by 33.2% of the youth and is considered not as a curse by 53.7%.
Regarding the history of family having Diabetes, 41% of youth consider that their family members has Diabetes, and they will inherit the disease easily; 29.3% does not have any knowledge on family history could be a risk factor for having Diabetes, and 29.8% disagrees that they will have Diabetes if they have any family history.
59% of the young people consider that Diabetes is a disease for the middle age and older people, 20.5% have no idea and 20.5% consider that Diabetes is not a disease for the middle age and older people. 46.8% of the young people consider that Diabetes can be prevented, 23.4% have no knowledge about it and 29.8% consider that Diabetes cannot be prevented.
It is apparent from the findings of the research that more awareness is clearly needed to address and prevent Diabetes. Involvement of family and community is crucial for developing a health programme and for providing a supportive environment in which for change of behaviour.
Prevention and awareness programme should be focused on youth who can turn the rising tide of Diabetes by adopting healthy lifestyle. Long term interventions are needed by different stakeholders e.g. government, NGO, health clubs, educational intuitions, local communities etc. to address the issue properly and to lessen the huge burden of Diabetes and its devastating consequences.
SSM Sadrul Huda is an Asst. Professor, East West University; Segufta Dilshad is the Director, Diabetic Wellbeing Foundation; Dr Tareq Salahuddin is the Editor of Star Health.
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