Assessment of awareness on prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus among patients and caregivers in a tertiary care hospital, Ambala, Haryana

Ms Shikha Chaudhary¹*, Ms. Simarjot Kaur², Ms Simran³, Mr. Shoryaman Singh⁴, Mr. Shubham Thakur⁵

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ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is a major global health problem, with rapidly increasing prevalence and significant complications affecting quality of life and healthcare systems worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, effective prevention of complications largely depends on patients' and families' awareness, lifestyle modification, and self-management practices, especially in resource-limited settings. India, including Haryana, bears a high burden of diabetes, highlighting the urgent need for preventive strategies through education and awareness.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the awareness of diabetic patients and their relatives regarding prevention of diabetic complications and its association with selected demographic variables.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted to assess the awareness of diabetic patients and their relatives regarding prevention of diabetic complications and its association with selected demographic variables. Sample were selected by using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 100 diabetic patients and their 100 diabetic patient's relatives in MMIMSR Mullana and MMCSR Sadopur, Ambala. Data was collected by using socio demographic variables and self-structured questionnaire.

Result: The findings of patients shows that (49%) are from 46 to 50 years, (56%) were males, (76%) were married, (45%) having primary education, (66%) don't know about the type of diabetes, (48%) having diabetes from 5 to 10 years, (94%) were on current medication, (49%) having family history of diabetes, (52%) having moderate level of physical activity, (58%) never smoked, (56%) never had alcohol, (50%) had weekly frequency of blood sugar check, (43%) having less than five hours sleep duration, (67%) doctor was the source of diabetes information, (54%) on tablet and (56%) having hypertension as a comorbidity of diabetes mellitus. The findings of patient's relative shows that (40%) were of age group 36-45 years, (59%) were male, (66%) were married, (48%) having blood relation with patient, (38%) having higher secondary education, (69%) were employed, (31%) having monthly income of 30,000 - 50,000, (55%) never smoked, (63%) never had alcohol, (81%) were from rural area. It shows that 64% of the patients has average awareness, 26% patients have below average awareness, 9% patients have above average and 1% patients has excellent awareness and 91% of diabetic patient's relatives has above average awareness, 6% diabetic patient's relatives have average and 3% diabetic patient's relatives having excellent awareness.

Conclusion: This study reveals that majority of diabetic patients and diabetic patient's relatives have average awareness regarding the prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Awareness, prevention of complications, diabetes mellitus patients and their relatives.

How to cite this article: Chaudhary S, Kaur S, Simran, Singh S, Thakur S. Assessment of awareness on prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus among patients and caregivers in a tertiary care hospital, Ambala, Haryana. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 70-76; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.14

Source of support: None.

Conflict of interest: None