European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent non-communicable disease affecting both affluent and non-affluent populations globally. This study focused on assessing the level of awareness regarding chronic complications of diabetes among patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the rural population of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. Material & Method: A cross-sectional study conducted from July to September 2022 included 500 rural patients with diabetes in Rewa district. A predesigned questionnaire gathered demographic information and assessed their knowledge regarding complications related to diabetes. Results: The study assessed participants' knowledge of diabetes complications, revealing that 48.6% were aware of these complications. Specific awareness levels included: rapid breathing with fruity odor (5.6%), non-healing foot ulcers (70.6%), tingling and burning sensation in the feet (64.4%), eye-related complications (37.8%), kidney-related complications (51.4%), increased blood pressure (40.2%), heart disease (50.8%), stroke risk (37.8%), coma (9%), hypoglycemia (19%), sexual dysfunction (47.4%), dental problems (19.6%), lipid abnormalities (17.8%), and gastric problems (37.8%). Regarding prevention, participants recognized the importance of dietary modifications (64.6%), quitting smoking and alcohol consumption (43.2%), and engaging in physical activity (78.4%) to prevent diabetic complications. Conclusion: The current study suggests that the rural population in Rewa district has a satisfactory level of awareness regarding specific diabetic complications like neuropathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), non-healing ulcers, kidney disease, and sexual dysfunction. However, their understanding of other notable complications associated with diabetes is limited.