Abstract
Background
Early screening and identification of diabetes is crucial, particularly in underserved rural communities lacking access to specialised care. Presently, T2DM affects approximately 1.2 million Australians, with a daily diagnosis rate of around 125 individuals. Knowledge of diabetes is the first step in confronting this silent epidemic. Alarmingly, up to 500,000 individuals unknowingly live with undiagnosed T2DM. This study, situated in Bathurst, seeks to assess the diabetes knowledge of its residents, recognising the urgent need for improved awareness. By addressing knowledge gaps, health authorities can tailor interventions to this context, fostering proactive community health management and positively impacting outcomes.
Methods
Over five months, 95 participants underwent a diabetes knowledge test as part of a pharmacy-led screening project. The survey covered key aspects: general knowledge of diabetes (5 items), complications (6 items), diet (8 items), lifestyle (4 items), symptoms (4 items) and risk factors of diabetes (4 items). Data on demography, lifestyle and medical history were also collected. Correct responses were allocated one point, with a cumulative maximum score of 31. Data were analysed using nonparametric tests.
Results
Demographic analysis highlighted older (≥ 55 years; 62, 65%), female (50, 53%) and Australian-born (90, 94%) participants as significant cohorts. Median DKT score of all the participants was 22 (IQR: 3) with 50% of the scores falling within the range of 20–23. Those not taking blood pressure medication (57, 60%) showed significantly higher knowledge scores (6.0, p = 0.03; median = 6; IQR = 1). Having at least 2.5hrs of physical activity daily correlated with higher scores in diabetes complications awareness, participants with high blood glucose had higher scores in the general knowledge (4.13, p = 0.009; median = 4; IQR = 0.5), and lifestyle (2.47, p = 0.013; median = 2; IQR = 0.5 domains, emphasizing the link between personal health status and diabetes awareness.
Conclusions
This study demonstrated that substantial knowledge gaps in diabetes knowledge exist in the Central West of NSW. Tailoring interventions for older individuals, emphasising physical activity, and targeting those with high blood glucose levels can effectively address these disparities. The findings provide a foundation for nuanced strategies to enhance diabetes awareness in regional settings, empowering communities for proactive health management and positive health outcomes.