Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Diabetes Mellitus Among University Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding diabetes mellitus (DM) among university students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), in 2018. All participants were the registered students at the foundation year in the branch of KAU, Rabigh. A questionnaire was developed that had questions related to knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: A total of 1428 participants (770 [53.9%] females and 658 [46.1%] males) were included in the study. Surprisingly, there were 315 (22.1%) students who had been diagnosed with hypertension or told by the healthcare professional that he/she has increased blood pressure, and 223 (15.6%) had high blood sugar. There were 785 (55%) participants who had one or more DM relative. Among our students, only 186 (13%) had good knowledge scores, while 569 (39.8%) and 673 (47.1%) had moderate and poor knowledge scores, respectively. Interestingly, 1190 (83.3%) participants had positive attitudes, while 238 (16.7%) had negative attitudes. More than half of the participants, 844 (59.1%), were practicing adequately for preventing DM. It was observed that females had significantly better general knowledge about DM, its risk factors, signs and symptoms, control and management, complications, and total knowledge scores. Our results showed that the female gender was associated with good knowledge and positive attitude and relatives diagnosed with DM were associated with good knowledge score. The participants who had DM relative and hypertension were more likely to have good attitudes and practices, respectively, in preventing DM. CONCLUSION: Our students’ knowledge score was not up to the mark. Interestingly, participants had positive attitudes and practicing adequately for preventing DM. The female gender was associated with good knowledge scores and positive attitudes.