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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 17  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 29-33

Awareness of diabetes amongst undergraduates in a Nigerian University, South West Nigeria


1 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
2 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Olubukunola Omobuwa
Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo Campus, Osun State
Nigeria
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/1118-8561.129151

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Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease of global public health importance whose prevention and control may be largely influenced by improved knowledge amongst populations. This study set out to examine the level of awareness, knowledge, and some risk factors for developing DM among students of the Osun State University, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst students of the Osun State University in South-western Nigeria. Study participants were recruited using multistage sampling technique. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondents' socio-demographics; awareness, knowledge and perception of DM and lifestyle characteristics such as dietary habits, physical activity, use of alcohol, and tobacco smoking. Results: A total of 166 students participated in the study, 75.9% of whom have heard of DM and 40.4% of them correctly defined the condition. Seventy-two (43.4%) of the study participants erroneously associated excessive intake of sugar with development of DM. Nearly one-third (30.1%) of them did not know any preventive measure for DM. Fourteen (56%) of the 25 respondents who had a diabetic relative said the diabetic person was their first degree relative. Sixty-one (36.7%) subjects engaged in daily consumption of soft drinks, and only 8.5% engaged in regular physical exercise. Only 6.0% of the participants had ever heard of body mass index (BMI). Conclusion: This study showed high awareness level of DM among participants but the knowledge and attitude toward DM was relatively poor.


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