Increased awareness about diabetes and its complications in a whole city: effectiveness of the "prevention, awareness, counselling and evaluation" [PACE] Diabetes Project [PACE-6].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of a large scale multipronged diabetes awareness program provided through community involvement in Chennai.


METHODS
Mass awareness and free screening camps were conducted between 2004-2007 at various locations of Chennai as part of the Prevention, Awareness, Counselling and Evaluation [PACE] Diabetes Project. During a 3-year period, 774 diabetes awareness camps were conducted to reach the public directly. After the PACE project was completed, 3000 individuals, representative of Chennai, were surveyed in 2007 using a systematic stratified random sampling technique. The results were compared to a similar survey carried out, as part of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study [CURES] in 2001-2002, which served as a measure of baseline diabetes awareness.


RESULTS
Awareness of a condition called "diabetes" increased significantly from 75.5% in 2001-2002 (CURES) to 81% (p < 0.001) in 2007 (PACE). 74.1% of the citizens of Chennai are now aware that the prevalence of diabetes is increasing as compared to 60.2% earlier [p < 0.001]. Significantly more people felt that diabetes could be prevented (p < 0.001), and that a combination of diet and exercise were needed to do so (p < 0.001). Respondents reporting obesity, family history of diabetes, hypertension and mental stress as risk factors increased significantly after PACE (p < 0.001). More people were able to correctly identify the eyes (PACE 38.1% compared to CURES--16.1%, p < 0.001), kidney (PACE 42.3% compared to CURES 16.10%, p < 0.001), heart (PACE 4.6% compared to CURES 5.8%, p < 0.001) and feet (PACE 35.0% vs. CURES 21.9%, p < 0.001) as the main organs affected by diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Through direct public education and mass media campaigns, awareness about diabetes and its complications can be improved even in a whole city. If similar efforts are implemented state-wise and nationally, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, specifically diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is an achievable goal in India.
Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, Gopalapuram, Chennai, India.
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Somannavar
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Lanthorn
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Deepa
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Pradeepa
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Rema
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Mohan
D001364:Awareness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008403:Mass Screening; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors