Maureen I Okuonghae1,
Olufemi Y Makinde4
,
Godfrey E Umhenin2,
Patrick O Erah3
For correspondence:- Patrick Erah Email: patrick.erah@uniben.edu Tel: +2348055263622
Published: 30 December 2014
Citation: Okuonghae MI, Makinde OY, Umhenin GE, Erah PO. Undergraduate Students Knowledge and Perception of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus in Benin City. J Sci Pract Pharm 2014; 1(1):41-48 doi: 10.47227/jsppharm.v1i1.9
© 2014 The author(s).
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Purpose: The prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria is rising at an alarming rate and most studies indicate that many people suffering from the disease do not often have adequate knowledge. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and perception of university undergraduate students towards diabetes type 2.
Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive survey, undergraduate students in University of Benin, Benin City studying non-health related disciplines were given questionnaire to complete. Order than information on their sociodemographic characteristics, the questionnaire used questions in Likert-type scale format to evaluate the respondents perception of diabetes. Questions covered knowledge/perception on symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, duration of illness, preventive measures and prognosis. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and data comparison.
Results: Of the 488 respondents, majority (66.39%) were 19-34 years old and distributed across nine Faculties namely, Arts, Agriculture, Education, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Management Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences. As many as 17.6% of them had family history of diabetes. Most respondents had good knowledge and positive perception of type 2 diabetes mellitus with majority of them knowing answers to the questions relating to causes of the disease (70.29-92.31%), duration of the illness (68.65-85.66%), preventive measures (58.81-92.42%), risk factors (51.23-95.49%) and how to treat and prevent the disease (58.81-92.42%).
Conclusion: The undergraduate students of University of Benin in non-health related disciplines have good knowledge and positive perception towards diabetes mellitus type 2. Nevertheless, a systematic education curriculum for diabetes education is paramount for all levels of educational system in Nigeria
