Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Marriage is an integral part of Indian society. In spite of the large number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM) in India, India is not a diabetes-friendly society. The society suffers from lots of myths regarding diabetes and insulin use. This survey highlights perceptions of general population with regards to marriage, associated diabetes distress, and suggests potential solutions. If no one is ready to accept diabetics as a bride or groom for their children and they can’t have a family, it’s a serious issue. There is no survey till date on this topic with surveyed population.

Methods: 1365 Randomly selected people, males and females, from rural and urban areas of central India were asked to fill a survey questionnaire online as well as in paper. The inclusion criteria were age 30–60, having at least one children and no history of mental disorder. The results were analyzed, inclusion criteria were age 30–60, no history of mental disorder.

Results: Responses were analyzed and plotted. Most of the respondents (78%) were not willing to accept a diabetic groom or bride for their children, the acceptability was more in males, persons coming from urban areas, having higher academic qualification, and in those with children with diabetes, the acceptability in even the known diabetics is only 15%. Most of the responders were worried about the complication of the disease. Majority of responders (74%) think diabetes affect future progeny.

Conclusion: Misconception regarding social, occupational, marital abilities, fertility, genetics, quality of life in young people living with DM raises major barriers to marriage, People with DM are wrongly assumed to be sick, disabled, dependent persons, unsuitable for marriages, and likely to have complicated pregnancies with the possibility of having children with diabetes. Diabetes distress and psychological issues are major problems related to marriage in young people with DM. Counseling of patients, family, relatives, prospective spouse, and increasing social awareness regarding diabetes through mass communication will serve as the keys to their resolution.