Identifying knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus – Type 2 in Rural Population using Data Mining

Abstract :

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the fastest-growing public health challenges of the 21st century. Limited socioeconomic resources and inadequate awareness significantly contribute to poor disease recognition, particularly in rural populations. Untreated DM can lead to serious complications, necessitating regular check-ups and continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification of diabetes across various socio demographic categories in India, using data from the fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019 2021), which covered all Indian states. The dataset included 2,078,315 individuals aged 15 years and above, with prevalence and ATC statistics adjusted for age and sex, and stratified by wealth quintile, age, education, and gender. Additionally, 974 participants from a clinical survey in rural Tamil Nadu were assessed using a modified Michigan Diabetes Awareness Questionnaire. Results indicated no statistically significant difference in DM knowledge by gender, occupation, or education level (p = 0.4721), but a significant difference by age group (p = 0.0062). Overall, 66.72% of respondents demonstrated basic knowledge of DM, 54.18% identified the optimal method for home glucose monitoring, and 53.8% recognized major complications. Knowledge levels were distributed as average (46.37%), good (40.92%), low (7.71%), and excellent (5.00%). These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve diabetes awareness and management, especially among younger and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.