Diabetes awareness still lacking, continuous education efforts needed

The lay public still seems to have large knowledge gaps regarding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its related health complications despite previous awareness campaigns and efforts.

According to the first-ever Malaysian Diabetes Index (MDI), a survey of 2539 member of lay public – [be good to know a bit about who and how were surveyed, age group, urban, rural, known diabetics etc. – if possible]) designed to assess the level of public awareness and understanding of T2DM in Malaysia, more than half (52 percent) surveyed, did not know that diabetes is incurable, additionally 51 percent also believed diabetes is not difficult to manage. [https://www.beyondsugar.my/content/dam/open-digital/beyondglucose-malaysia/en/pdf/MDI-infographic-(ENG).pdf Accessed on 28 June 2021]

The survey is part of the Beyond Sugar campaign, which is supported by AstraZeneca in collaboration with the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS). The survey found amputation comes to their mind first when thinking about T2DM complications, as 95 percent of respondents were aware it was a complication of T2DM. Interestingly, despite the fact that heart complications are the most lethal of T2DM complications, they are also the least well-known  (75 percent did not know that this is a complication of T2DM). The other complications known to respondents are eye damage (93 percent), kidney damage (90 percent), and nerve damage (84 percent).

Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng, senior consultant endocrinologist, said: “We are very proud to be a part of the Malaysian Diabetes Index survey with AstraZeneca. Year after year, we have seen more diabetes cases emerge, but the sense of urgency seems to be tepid. This survey is a way for us to dissect how Malaysians think of their health and issues like diabetes to gain a better understanding of what else we can do from the very grassroots level. We no longer just want to support patients when they already have diabetes; it is time for more meaningful and calculated efforts to mitigate this health crisis.” Chan is also president of MEMS.

Dr Sanjeev Panchal, country president of AztraZeneca Malaysia, said the findings of the MDI survey emphasizes the awareness gaps amongst Malaysians about this disease and how AstraZeneca can play a vital role in supporting Malaysia’s battle against Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) by strengthening the healthcare ecosystem with solutions beyond the pill. “One of the ways we do this is by elevating public-patient awareness to prevent diabetes and encourage multi-risk factor (MRF) screening for early diagnosis of diabetes-related complications.”

Sanjeev added: “The Beyond Sugar campaign enables us to reach out to the masses with vital information that empower people to be more informed on diabetes and to consult their physicians for MRF screening for early diagnosis. Our collaboration with MEMS will enable us to address the awareness gaps through the Beyond Sugar campaign while our TakeCareofMe flagship diabetes programme supports MRF diagnostics at the primary care level for the prevention of complications related to diabetes. Through early disease management, we can delay complications and ensure early diagnosis and referral to ultimately improve the standard of care for people living with diabetes. As part of our sustainability efforts for diabetes, we hope to run the MDI annually so that we can effectively measure any changes to Malaysians’ overall awareness and behaviour towards diabetes.”

For further information about MDI and to participate in the Beyond Sugar campaign, scan this QR code.