Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (May 2023)
Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge, Attitudes, Preventive Practices and Associated Factors Among a Sample of Adult Non-Diabetic Saudi Residents
Abstract
Mukhtiar Baig,1 Sami Alzahrani,2,3 Shahad Abualhamael,4 Alanoud Alotaibi,5 Manar Alharbi,5 Thikra Almohammadi,5 Turki Alkaabi5 1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Health Promotion Research Group, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mukhtiar Baig, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966581083289, Email [email protected]: To assess the diabetes mellitus (DM) knowledge, attitudes, preventive practices, and associated factors among a sample of adult non-diabetic Saudi residents.Methods: The present survey was conducted in April-June 2022. People from the general population were invited to participate in the study, and the data were collected using a validated questionnaire.Results: A total of 1207 non-diabetic subjects participated in the study [females 798(66.1%) and males 409(33.9%)], and the response rate was 80% (1207/1500). Two-thirds (66.86%) of non-diabetic adult community members had good knowledge of DM, 47.8% had positive attitudes, and 62.14% maintained a healthy lifestyle to avoid DM. There was a family history of DM in more than half of the subjects 723(59.9%). Participants who had a direct relative with diabetes scored higher on the knowledge question than those who did not (p< 0.001). Practice questions responses for preventing DM showed that about 459(38%) were using fatty food less frequently, and only 338(28%) and 153(12.7%) were doing physical activities 30– 60 minutes per day frequently and very frequently, respectively. Most participants were smoking tobacco, 890(73.7%), and getting checked their BP, 704(58.3%), very frequently. The participants with a master’s and Ph.D. degree were likelier to have positive attitudes and good practices than students. Individuals with a history of DM in their families were 2.10 times (OR=2.10, p< 0.001), 1.95 times (OR=1.95, p< 0.001), and 2.03 times (OR=2.03, p< 0.001) more likely to be knowledgeable, had positive attitudes and good practices than those with no DM in their family, respectively.Conclusion: Over half of the individuals possessed a positive mindset, adequate knowledge, and good practicing behavior for preventing DM. Having Master’s and Ph.D. degrees and a family history of DM were associated with a positive attitude and good practices. There is a need to expand community awareness campaigns utilizing social media channels.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, practice, adult non-diabetic, community awareness, diabetes mellitus
