The influence of a diabetes awareness program on diabetes knowledge, risk perception, and practices among university students.

Abstract

To compare diabetes mellitus (DM) knowledge, risk perception, and health practices before and after a mass awareness program among Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University students, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A DM awareness program was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021 in three phases (total 13 weeks). The program comprised educational messages, short videos, virtual lectures, and peer-to-peer education. A total of 558 participants (before group, n = 360; after group, n = 198) were included in the study. Majority of the students had normal body mass index (BMI). The knowledge scores were significantly higher after the program (median 16, quartile range 13-18) than before (median 14, quartile range 12-16) (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in risk perception between the two groups (p > 0.05). In addition, increased moderate practice score and decreased poor practice score (p < 0.001) were observed. Factors influencing DM knowledge were higher education and awareness. Factors influencing health practices were higher BMI and knowledge after the program. DM awareness program improved DM knowledge and health practices among university students.