The biggest fear UAE residents harbour after snakes and sharks is that of injections, according to a nationwide survey conducted on 1,200 residents, which revealed the top ten fears.
The survey conducted by a medical technology firm, Medtronics, also revealed that over one-third of respondents would rather skydive from a plane if it meant being able to avoid needles every day; almost a quarter said they would rather handle a python. Unfortunately, while most people brave the occasional needle in a lifetime, it’s a different story for the 19.3 per cent of residents living with diabetes, many of whom are faced with having to inject themselves up to four times per day.
The survey coincides with the introduction of a new aid enabling diabetes patients to reduce injections directly to their skin from 120 times in a typical month to only once every three days.
The wearable injection ports allow people with diabetes to inject their insulin into the injection port instead of directly into the skin.
Dr Ghada Aoun from the Boston Diabetes Centre said the survey results were not surprising and having to self-inject every day was an ordeal for many people with diabetes.
“Taking injections before each meal can be a psychological and physical burden due to the associated pain. It’s quite common for children and adolescents to skip a dose of insulin because they can’t face another injection — and this can obviously have serious health consequences.”
Talking about alternatives to needle pricks, Dr Aoun added: “Using an injection aid may decrease the risk of future injection problems especially for younger patients and facilitate the use of multiple daily injections, which may contribute to a decreased risk of long-term complications. I would encourage all diabetics who face the burden of multiple daily injections to talk with their healthcare professional to seek advice on alternative solutions” she said. People with diabetes can inject their insulin into the injection port instead of directly into the skin. “It means people with insulin-dependent diabetes may no longer have to suffer multiple skin punctures every day,” she said.
With nearly half of all patients on daily injection therapy reporting bruising and more than one-third reporting pain, the device is expected to be a game-changer in the treatment of diabetes. The injection port will also help relieve those who experience anxiety from injecting their diabetes medications. In fact, a prospective study, which involved 100 nurses and 100 patients in a community hospital revealed that the injection ports decreased anxiety of needles in patients by 100 per cent.
Health care professionals and people with diabetes interested in learning more can visit www.medtronic-diabetes-mena.com.
Top ten fears among residents
1. Snakes
2. Sharks
3. Injections
4. Heights
5. Speaking
6. Lightning
7. Flying
8. Spiders
9. Exams
10. Clowns
