My Sweet Journey – Results on Social Knowledge and Awareness of Type 1 diabetes survey

healthyD and Youth Diabetes Action announces the results on the Social Knowledge and Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in Hong Kong survey.

The survey found that initially a child diabetes symptoms were easily overlooked by family. 70% child patients suffered from hypoglycaemia and require daily multiple finger-prick test to check blood glucose levels. Most families expressed that enhanced social communication is essential to eliminate the insufficient information patients and family receives.

Unlike Type 2 diabetes (T2D), Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a less common form of diabetes that the Hong Kong community is aware of. Addressing the lack of social attention and support among local T1D patients and their families, the Social Knowledge and Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes in Hong Kong Survey was conducted in September 2019 by healthyD (www.healthyd.com), a health and wellness media platform of ESDlife. In collaboration with Youth Diabetes Action (YDA). Online and paper questionnaires were distributed to families of T1D patients through its network. 1,156 citizens and 156 family members of T1D patients were interviewed in this survey, aiming to take an overview on T1D in Hong Kong and social knowledge on the disease for raising community awareness of disease patients and enhancing mutual assistance.

The results of the surveys and findings are detailed in this press release.

These were the key findings:

  • T1D unfamiliarity surfaces: over half failed to distinguish the two types of diabetes and near one-third thought the disease is curable
  • Insufficient social information highlighted by mix-up of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia among two-fifth of Hong Kong people
  • Misunderstanding on chocolate as a cure for hypoglycaemia hinders treatment and increases health risks
  • T1D onset peaks between 6 to 11 years of age; seven-tenth child patients suffered from hypoglycemia and multiple measurements in daily blood glucose levels
  • Insignificant diabetes symptoms easily be overlooked by family
  • Families worried on child patients to integrate into school life and called for home-school cooperation for equal opportunities
  • Families of T1D child patients need increased social awareness and enhanced support to ease their helpless feeling

As a result, we have created a series of videos to explain more about what it’s like to live with T1D and to dispel some of those misconceptions. To watch the videos, sponsored by Ascensia, please visit the My Sweet Journey website.
(Note: the site and videos are in Chinese but the videos have English subtitles.)