Mosa Ahmed A, Abdulqadir Hajar Hassan, Khalid Rojeen Chalabi, Mustafa Alaa Abdullah, Zaki Hajar Ahmed, Yousif Iman Ramadhan, Yaseen Osama Subhi, Dinkha Steven Esho, Khamo Haneen Majeed, Mohammad Ameen M
College of Medicine, University of Zakho, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2025 Mar 3;87(3):1236-1242. doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000003046. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder and a significant global concern due to its steadily increasing prevalence. Educating youths and adolescents about such diseases is crucial for promoting healthy lifestyle choices. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of public high school students about DM and identify areas where their understanding is lacking.
In February 2023, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Duhok province of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. The study enrolled 392 students from a public high school, who were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire had two sections: the first collected basic demographic information of the participants, while the second included 20 items assessing various aspects of DM knowledge, such as general information, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications, and prevention.
The mean age of the study participants was 16.4 years (±0.71). Among the participants, 247 (63%) were female, and 190 (48.5%) had a positive family history of DM. Unfortunately, only 53 students (13.5%) had received training programs about the disease, although the vast majority (89.3%) expressed willingness to participate in the prevention programs. For 70.2% of the participants, family and friends were the primary sources of information. The mean knowledge score was 13.9 (±3), with an average correct answer rate of 68.55%. Female students, those with a positive family history, had significantly demonstrated a better overall knowledge score with a mean knowledge score of 14.14 ± 2.96 and 14.17 ± 2.98, respectively. Also, participants using multiple sources for information, and those who had received training programs on DM, demonstrated a better overall knowledge score with a mean score of 14.21 ± 2.90 and 14.34 ± 3.31, respectively. However, it missed the significance.
The study participants exhibited good knowledge and awareness of DM. However, there were notable gaps in their understanding of the disease's risk factors and complications. Therefore, we recommend incorporating health education programs and lifestyle modification initiatives into the school curriculum to enhance students' knowledge and address the identified gaps.
糖尿病（DM）是一种慢性代谢紊乱疾病，因其患病率不断上升，已成为全球重大关注问题。对青少年进行此类疾病的教育对于促进健康的生活方式选择至关重要。本研究旨在评估公立高中生对糖尿病的了解程度，并确定他们理解不足的领域。
2023年2月，在伊拉克库尔德地区的杜胡克省进行了一项描述性横断面研究。该研究招募了一所公立高中的392名学生，使用自填式问卷对他们进行了调查。该问卷有两个部分：第一部分收集参与者的基本人口统计信息，第二部分包括20个项目，评估糖尿病知识的各个方面，如一般信息、危险因素、体征和症状、并发症及预防。
研究参与者的平均年龄为16.4岁（±0.71）。在参与者中，247名（63%）为女性，190名（48.5%）有糖尿病阳性家族史。遗憾的是，只有53名学生（13.5%）接受过关于该疾病的培训项目，尽管绝大多数（89.3%）表示愿意参加预防项目。对于70.2%的参与者来说，家人和朋友是主要的信息来源。平均知识得分为13.9（±3），平均正确答案率为68.55%。女生以及有阳性家族史的学生总体知识得分明显更高，平均知识得分分别为14.14±2.96和14.17±2.98。此外，使用多种信息来源的参与者以及接受过糖尿病培训项目的参与者总体知识得分更高，平均得分分别为14.21±2.90和14.34±3.31。然而，未达到显著性。
研究参与者对糖尿病表现出了良好的知识和认知。然而，他们对该疾病的危险因素和并发症的理解存在明显差距。因此，我们建议将健康教育项目和生活方式改变倡议纳入学校课程，以增强学生的知识并弥补已发现的差距。
