Knowledge, awareness, and impact of diabetes among adolescents in Uyo, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out in order to determine the knowledge, awareness, and impact of diabetes among adolescents in Uyo, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. A structured questionnaire on the various aspects of diabetes ­ such as cause, symptoms, and complications ­ was administered to 200 students followed by a health awareness talk on diabetes. Four weeks later, the same questionnaire was re-administered to find out if the talk had made an impact. Forty percent of the students could tell the cause of diabetes before the health talk and this increased to 49% after it. Only 31% of them agreed that weight reduction is useful in diabetes management but this increased to 48% after the health talk. Twenty eight percent agreed that diabetes is a chronic disease and this increased to 70%. Excessive passage of urine was the most frequent symptom of diabetes identified by the group, while 24 subjects could identify more than one symptom of diabetes before the health awareness talk. The kidney was the most common organ identified as being affected, with the nerves being the least. Type 2 diabetes was identified as being the most common form of diabetes by 40% of the respondents. Before the awareness talk 31% correctly identified that urine glucose cannot be used to diagnose diabetes and this increased to only 35% after the talk. A greater number of respondents (73%) agreed that type 2 diabetes can be seen in the young. Knowledge and awareness of certain aspects of diabetes among adolescents is poor; however, adequate health education had a positive impact on their knowledge and awareness. More health education is advocated to increase awareness and knowledge on all aspects of diabetes