AWARENESS ABOUT DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE LIVING IN SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS OF KARACHI

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia which result from defects in insulin secretion or action, or both. Over 3.2 million people die of diabetes mellitus across the world every... [ view full abstract ]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia which result from defects in insulin secretion or action, or both. Over 3.2 million people die of diabetes mellitus across the world every year. Pakistan currently counts 6.2 million people with diabetes and estimated figures for 2025 suggest that this will almost double and reach 11.6 million people.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge about Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among women of child bearing age , it’s causes, consequences, prevention, and nature of DM among the subjects and understand the perception of CBAs about the management of DM.

The survey was conducted at the three squatter settlements of Karachi. A pre-structured questionnaire was used (after field testing it) to interview 80 CBA women after taking their informed consent. convenient sampling method was used to collect the data.

The results reveals that in general, awareness level about the disease diabetes mellitus was low with misconceptions prevailing among CBA women of childbearing age. More than 50% of the subjects mentioned diabetes as a ‘disease’ with no specific knowledge and believed that family history and eating too much sweets may play a vital role in causing the ailment. Majority of the women were unaware about the actual causes, symptoms, and complications. Sedentary lifestyle is prevalent along with mood fluctuations..Majority of the women had never tested for diabetes.

Due to low awareness about the disease they are more exposed to the risks and their well being may disturb. The lack of health facilities especially related to assessment of risk factors during pregnancy may further aggravate the situation in the marginalized communities living below poverty line

Key words: Diabetes, awareness, women, slums, complications, disease, sedentary life style, marginalized communities