Assessment of diabetes knowledge among adolescents in selected Iranian schools in UAE

ABSTRACT

To assess the level of knowledge of students aged 13-19 years in selected Iranian schools in UAE about diabetes and to identify probable misconceptions with regard to this disease among the participants. A cross sectional study was done including 200 female and male students in the age group between 13 to 19 years in selected Iranian schools. A scoring system was used by which a score of 1 or zero was given to each correct or incorrect response respectively. The total correct score was used as criteria to assess the total knowledge of students that was categorized into three parts [good, average and low]. The knowledge was also categorized into 5 domains [general knowledge, epidemiology, risk factors/ complication, investigation/ screening and lifestyle/ treatment]. Because of variation in number of items included in each domain, percentage of correct responses for these domains were compared The percentage of correct knowledge scores for the general knowledge, epidemiology of diabetes, risk factors/ complication, investigation/ screening and lifestyle/ treatment domains are 60.5%, 47.8%, 52.5%, 51.5% and 56.4% respectively. Poor knowledge scores is identified among 18% of the participant [n=34]. Poor knowledge scores are most commonly observed in males compared to females [2%Vs 14%], and in younger age adolescents [> 15 Yrs] compared to older age [> 15 Yrs]. The most common misconception is that diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar and sweets. High lack of knowledge in all knowledge domains. Poor knowledge is observed in 18% of the adolescents. Most common misconception is that sugar intake cause diabetes