Original Research

Sociodemographic factors associated with knowledge of type 2 diabetes in rural Tamil Nadu, India

AUTHORS

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Hana MacDonald
1 MPH, Data Analysis Coordinator, Durham Region

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Andrew Papadopoulos
2 PhD, Associate Professor ORCID logo

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Cate Dewey
3 PhD, Associate Professor ORCID logo

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Sally A Humphries
4 PhD, Professor Emerita ORCID logo

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Warren Dodd
5 PhD, Assistant Professor ORCID logo

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Kirit Patel
6 PhD, Associate Professor ORCID logo

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Matthew Little
7 PhD, Assistant Professor * ORCID logo

AFFILIATIONS

1, 2 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

3 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; and Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, Guelph, ON, Canada

4 Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada

5 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; and School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

6 International Development Studies, Menno Simons College, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

7 Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; and School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

ACCEPTED: 19 October 2021


early abstract:

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate awareness of type 2 diabetes and how sociodemographic factors influence diabetes knowledge in a rural population of Tamil Nadu, India. Previous research has identified poor awareness of diabetes in several low and middle-income countries, which can lead to a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes. With India having the second highest prevalence of diabetes globally, it is increasingly important to assess how diabetes can be addressed in rural Indian populations.
Methods: Systematic random sampling was used to gather study participants in 17 villages within the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, India. Data on diabetes knowledge was collected using a validated questionnaire. Knowledge scores ranged from 0-8; a score of zero was designated as ‘low knowledge’, scores 1-4 as ‘moderate knowledge’, and scores 5-8 as ‘good knowledge’. Associations between sociodemographic factors and composite diabetes knowledge score were assessed using a multinomial logistic gllamm model in Stata.
Results: A total of 753 individuals participated in the study. The average age of participants was 47 years and 55% were women. Overall awareness of diabetes was low, with 66% of individuals having no knowledge of diabetes. Only 16% and 17% achieved a moderate and good knowledge score, respectively. Achieving a moderate knowledge score was significantly positively associated with education, wealth, participation in MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act), and business ownership as a source of income. Achieving a good knowledge score was significantly positively associated with education, wealth, rurality, participation in MGNREGA, business ownership as a source of income, and frequency of healthcare utilization. Rurality was significantly negatively associated [Relative Risk Ratio (95% CI)] with both moderate knowledge score [0.34 (0.19, 0.59)], and good knowledge score [0.43 (0.24, 0.74)]. The strongest predictor of having a good knowledge score was having a high school graduate or post-secondary education [11.07 (4.44, 27.61)]. Enrolment in MGNREGA employment was the strongest predictor for having a moderate knowledge score [3.27 (1.93, 5.54)], as well as strongly associated with having a good knowledge score [2.39 (1.31, 4.36)].
Conclusion: The low awareness of diabetes among participants of this study raises serious concerns for public health in India. Public health efforts must prioritize health equity to lessen the impacts of diabetes in rural populations, where individuals face systemic barriers to receiving prevention and treatment for conditions such as diabetes.