Diabetes Risk Factor Knowledge Varies Among Multiracial College Students

Measurement of Perceived Risk of Developing Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review describes approaches to measuring perceived risk of developing type 2 diabetes among individuals without diagnoses and describes the use of theories, models, and frameworks in studies assessing perceived risk. While a systematic review has synthesized perceived risk of complications among individuals with diabetes, no reviews have systematically assessed how perceived risk is measured among those without a diagnosis.

METHODS

Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHAL databases were searched for studies conducted through October 2022 with measures of perceived risk among adults ≥ 18 years without a diabetes diagnosis. Extracted data included study characteristics, measures, and health behavior theories, models, or frameworks used.

RESULTS

Eighty-six studies met inclusion criteria. Six examined perceived risk scales' psychometric properties. Eighty measured perceived risk using (1) a single item; (2) a composite score from multiple items or subconstructs; and (3) multiple subconstructs but no composite score. Studies used items measuring "comparative risk," "absolute or lifetime risk," and "perceived risk" without defining how each differed. Sixty-four studies used cross-sectional designs. Twenty-eight studies mentioned use of health behavior theories in study design or selection of measures.

DISCUSSION

There was heterogeneity in how studies operationalized perceived risk; only one third of studies referenced a theory, model, or framework as guiding design or scale and item selection. Use of perceived lifetime risk, absolute risk, or comparative risk limits comparisons across studies. Consideration of context, target population, and how data are utilized is important when selecting measures; we present a series of questions to ask when selecting measures for use in research and clinical settings. This review is the first to categorize how perceived risk is measured in the diabetes prevention domain; most literature focuses on perceived risk among those with diabetes diagnoses. Limitations include exclusion of non-English and gray literature and single reviewer screening and data extraction.

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

AIM

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.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSION

DM awareness program improved DM knowledge and health practices among university students.

Predictors of diabetes risk perception among college students

Objective: To explore the diabetes knowledge and future disease risk perception of college students. Participants: 697 college students were purposefully recruited at a large state university and completed an online survey. Methods: Diabetes knowledge, future disease risk perception, lifestyle, and demographic factors were assessed. Results: The majority of students (56%) reported a family history of diabetes but perceived their diabetes risk as low/moderate (90%). Logistic regression indicated higher knowledge (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13), age (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.00-1.16), bodymassindex (BMI) (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 2.33-10.30) and family history of diabetes (OR, 4.30; 95% CI, 1.97-9.40) increased perception of future diabetes risk. Those who self-rated their health as good/excellent and read food labels regularly/often had lower perceived future risk of diabetes. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of educating college students on diabetes risk factors as well as primary/secondary prevention for reducing diabetes incidence in this age group.

Diabetes Prevention: Knowledge and Perception of Risk among Italian Population

The risk perception for developing diabetes has not been well established. The aim of this study is to evaluate knowledge and perception of risk for developing diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 527 parents of children attending public schools in Naples (Italy). A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used to collect the data. In total, 97.3% of participants have heard about diabetes, but only 16.7% knew the main risk and protective factors. This knowledge was statistically significantly higher in those who had close relatives with diabetes. Moreover, those who had middle school or lower and high school education, compared with those who had a college degree or higher, were less knowledgeable. The mean total value of the risk perception for developing diabetes was 1.9. Females those who had more than 40 years of age, those who needed of additional information, those who had a higher BMI, those who had close relatives with diabetes, those who had at least one chronic disease, and those who reported a lower value of self-rated health status were more likely to perceive a higher risk for developing diabetes. Moreover, this perception was statistically significantly lower among those who had a middle school or lower and high school education, compared with those who had a college degree or higher. The knowledge about diabetes needs to be improved, and the low risk perception for developing diabetes among the sample is worrying given the severity of the disease and the preventive measures available.

Number and Severity of Type 2 Diabetes among Family Members Are Associated with Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors

AIM

A binary measurement of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been found not to influence behaviors. We aimed to examine the influence of other measures of family history such as number of relatives, genetic closeness of relatives, and severity of T2D of family members on nutrition and physical activity behaviors among college students.

METHODS

Students across four colleges in Texas were sampled. Multiple linear regression models, controlling for covariates, were used to model results. Cross-sectional data were used.

RESULTS

More number of relatives with T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.131, p = 0.007) and exercise (β = 0.129, p = 0.037). Having relatives with severe T2D was associated with vegetable consumption (β = 0.157, p = 0.002) and exercise (β = 106, p = 0.027). Closer genetic relationship with someone with T2D was associated with increased vegetable consumption (β = 0.107, p = 0.023) and exercise (β = 0.096, p = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

It is likely that the severe complications that may accompany the relatives T2D or having an immediate family member living with T2D may in fact motivate other family members without T2D to modify their attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge about T2D, thus encourage health-protective behaviors.

Self-reported knowledge on diabetes and its related factors among Chinese college students: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

An increasing trend in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been observed among youths; however, little is known about how informed young people are of its existence and dangers. This study is to assess the level of knowledge on type 2 diabetes among Chinese college students and to explore related factors influencing the knowledge.

SETTING

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among college students in Guangzhou, China, from September to November 2013.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 658 students were randomly recruited using a multistage sampling method and were invited to participate in the confidential interviews.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Self-reported knowledge on diabetes and its main sources were measured by a self-designed questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 521 students participated in this study. The mean total score of knowledge was 13.3±3.44 of 22. Less than 50% of participants could correctly answer the questions about the onset of type 2 diabetes, the adverse effects of sedentary lifestyles, the complications, the therapeutic methods and the monitoring index of diabetes. The factors associated with higher levels of knowledge about type 2 diabetes in stepwise regression models were: being in a high grade, having a better academic performance, having a medical specialty and having relatives or friends with diabetes. Newspapers and books (61.4%), television and the Internet (46.3%) were the major sources of knowledge about type 2 diabetes, and more than half of the participants (55.9%) considered that medical staff was the most reliable source.

CONCLUSIONS

The college students had limited knowledge about type 2 diabetes. Public education, especially among individuals with non-medical specialties, a low-level grade, poor academic performance or no relatives and friends with diabetes, would be extremely beneficial.