Assessment of University Students for the Risk Factors and Diabetes Profile in University of Peshawar

Abstract

Background:  Among the non-communicable diseases diabetes is life-threatening condition whose long-time complication causes heart attack, blindness, stroke and kidney failure. The objective was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding diabetes among the final year students of home economics, university of Peshawar.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among final year university students of home economics, university of Peshawar from June to December 2019. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used for the study. After taking written consent from individual participants a predesigned questionnaire was filled. Data was collected and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.

Results: This study included a total of 120 female students of graduate and master level.  Among these students 33 (27.5%) were undergraduate and 87 (72.5%) were master level students. It was found that 39 (32.5%) female students were either self-diabetics or one or more close blood related family member were suffering from diabetes. A significantly high proportion 59 (49.2%) and 15 (12.5%) female students were either overweight or obese respectively. About 59 (49.2%) students were with unsatisfactory diabetics practice score, 73 (60.8%) students never checked for sugar and 7 (5.8%) students were found with other chronic diseases status.  Interestingly only 28 (23.3%) students know about diabetes and acquired knowledge about diabetes from nutritionists.

Conclusion:  The increased frequency of obesity & overweight, unsatisfactory diabetes score, unhealthy behavior and suboptimal attitude of female university students provided a threat of potential increase of diabetes among females in future.