308A2 Diabetes Awareness

Multiple District 308 Lions Diabetes Campaign

Why a diabetes campaign?

Incidence and Prevalence of DM

World
The Incidence of DM throughout the world follows an alarming upward trend, to such an extent that it is referred to as in ‘epidemic proportion’. There are about 180 million diabetics worldwide today. In 2025, it is expected to increase to 280 Million. In 2030, there will be 320 million adult diabetics.

Table 1. Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
   World Malaysia Singapore Brunei
 Total population 6,677,568,133 25,274,133  4,608,167 381,000
 People with DM 180,000,000 1,530,600 384,300 22,600
 % people with DM   10.7 10.1 12.2
 People with IGT  2,914,900 558,30047,400
 % People with IGT  14.9 18.7 17.6
*DM = Diabetes Mellitus; IGT = Impaired Glucose Tolerance           
Figures taken from ‘World Factbook’ ( july 2008 )

Malaysia
In Malaysia, the prevalence of diabetes in adults above 18 years is 10.7% . Various figures up to 11.6% have been quoted. In the recent past, it stood at 8%, but in a recent survey done by Prof. SP Chan, the prevalence is as high as 15% of the population. It can be said that one quarter of our Malaysian population is either diabetic or has IGT!
    
Singapore
Prevalence of Diabetes in Singapore is 10.1%. The National Health survey in 2004 showed that the prevalence increased sharply with age. The rate is 0.5% ( 18-28 yrs ), 2.4% ( 30-39 yrs ), 7.9% ( 40-49 yrs ), 16.7 % ( 50-59 yrs ), 28.7% ( 60-69 yrs ). Male diabetics outnumber Females. Indians have the highest incidence among all races, and half of all diabetics are NOT diagnosed.

Brunei
Incidence of Diabetes in Brunei ( where 1 in 3 youths is overweight )  is 12.2%.  Diabetes is reported to be the second commonest reason for admission in hospitals, and the third commonest cause of death in 2001. Half of all people on dialysis are diabetics.  

 
Why is Diabetes important?
  • Markedly raised morbidity and mortality
  • Leading cause of End stage renal failure
  • Leading cause of blindness in adults
  • Leading cause of Amputations
  • Major cause of Heart attack, Stroke and impotence
  • Loss of healthy and independent lifestyle, particularly at old age
  • Marked loss of productivity and funds to the Nation

 

Mortality & Morbidity stats for DM

In 2005 itself, 2.9 million deaths worldwide is reported to be attributable to diabetes mellitus. Generally, a diabetic has twice the mortality risk compared with the normal population.


The problem that we face

Diabetes as an ailment is already known for a long time. Many know that diabetes presents with sweet urine, and some also know that, at the same time, the blood would also be sweet. What is not known to most people is that it is the leading cause of blindness, Kidney Failure and Leg amputations. In addition, it is a major cause of heart attack, stroke and Erectile dysfunction. An even more alarming fact is that in the last decade, the incidence of diabetes has mushroomed alarmingly all over the world to such an extent that it is termed ‘ in epidemic proportions’. Situation in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei is no different. China has the most numbers now, and by 2030, India will have the most diabetics.


The proposal

The Governments in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have spent huge sums of money and years of tireless effort to treat and educate the public about diabetes, however, we know that personal belief and the commitment to properly manage ones own diabetic condition is still lacking. It is also believed that in depth awareness of diabetes and its destructiveness is still wanting among our people.

It is therefore proposed that in fiscal year 2008/2009, each of our four districts will take up the challenge in a moderately extensive campaign to increase awareness of diabetes and its complications in our respective districts. A campaign of this nature does have limitations, but we are convinced that it will definitely serve to benefit our community tremendously. For further enhancement of the effect, similar or improved campaigns can be mounted in future years until the message is driven home.


The Objectives of our campaign are as follows:

  1. To bring awareness of diabetes ( diabetes mellitus ) and its presentations to the people of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.
  2. To stress upon and make known all the undesirable complications of diabetes.
  3. To bring about awareness of the loss of quality life, resources and general well being  it inflicts on the patient.
  4. To assist in diabetes case finding exercises.
  5. To render assistance within our means to diabetic patients.
  6. To assist other agencies eg diabetes associations in their effort to help diabetics eg. Diabetes camps, diabetes courses for diabetic workers.


Our strategy

  1. Pre and Post campaign studies will be carried out.
  2. Our Diabetes awareness campaign will start on 1st September 2008 and end on 31st December, 2008. ( The Council of Governors is requested to assign an alternative date if this one is not suitable. )
  3. All clubs in MD 308 are urged to participate. Your participation is invaluable as it will contribute to the attainment of our objectives and make a difference for each of our Nations.
  4. Merits in three categories will be assessed:
    A:  Participation in the campaign.
    In this category, all clubs that that have organized or co-organised a diabetes awareness project is eligible.
    B:  Most active clubs in the campaign.
    In this category, the most active clubs from category ‘a’ shall be selected.
    C:  Most outstanding method of promoting Diabetes awareness.
    In this category, we are looking at your method of diabetes awareness campaign, how effective it is in conveying the message, how well it is organized, how many people it managed to reach out to, and etc.
  5. Assessment will be done at District level by the District Chairman of Diabetes. From your result, three clubs in categories ‘b’ and ‘c’ will be submitted to MD level for further assessment. It is hoped category ‘a’ clubs will be given additional points by District Governors in the district competition. 
  6. It is recommended that handsome awards be given at District as well as MD level. Reward should be substantial so as to encourage participation now and maybe also in future years.

 
Expertise

In conducting a diabetes awareness campaign, it is obvious that there need to be the know how and also the in-depth knowledge of the subject. Messages conveyed to the public need to be appropriate, right, and accurate. It is also appreciated that it is not possible for most clubs to acquire the expertice quickly enough to conduct projects on their own.

We therefore recommend that each club can seek the assistance of the local diabetes association, Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia in Malaysia, or the Singapore Diabetes Association in Singapore, for assistance. They can provide the material and technical know how.

It is imperative that in our attempt to help, we do not end up misleading.


Forms

The following forms shall be provided:

  1. LDC0809 form1. Project instruction and report form.
  2. LDC0809 form2. Survey questionnaire, for use by clubs that are assigned to do initial and final survey of diabetes awareness level in the community.
  3. LDC0809form3. If you are using a novel way to bring about diabetes awareness, we would like to know about it. Please fill it in this special form provided.

It must be stressed that reports need to be countersigned by Zone chairman or Region Chairman as verification.

Proposed by PDG Dr William Voon