Increased awareness about diabetes and its complications in a whole city: effectiveness of the "prevention, awareness, counselling and evaluation" [PACE] Diabetes Project [PACE-6].

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of a large scale multipronged diabetes awareness program provided through community involvement in Chennai. MATERIAL AND 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. CONCLUSION: 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.