Diabetes mellitus is one of the most commonly encountered diseases by the healthcare professionals worldwide. (Wee. HO., & Li, 2002). The risk of type 2 diabetes is approximately 2-fold higher in African Americans than in European Americans even after adjusting for known environmental risk factors, including socioeconomic status (SES), suggesting that genetic factors may explain some of this population difference in disease. Few studies have examined knowledge and awareness of Diabetes Mellitus among African American college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine knowledge and awareness of Diabetes Mellitus among African American college students.
Method:
A convenient sample of college students from classes in the Department of Health and Human Performance at a small southeastern private historically black college and university was utilized in the study. Knowledge and awareness of Diabetes Mellitus was measured using a Modified version of the Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus Survey (Saraya & Khalidi, 2012). The responses on the questionnaire ranged from Yes, No, and I don’t know.
Analysis/Results:
Chi Square analysis was utilized to determine the differences between the demographic categories and the Diabetes questions, alpha = .05. Twenty eight students (70%) responded Yes to Question 9 “Risk factors for DM is family history”. Thirty one students (77.5%) responded Yes to Question 10 “Risk factors for DM is excessive sugar intake”. Twenty eight students (70%) responded Yes to Question 16 “One symptom of DM is excessive thirst”. Chi square analysis revealed that Females had more knowledge than males in regards to knowing that risk factors for Diabetes can include family history. Chi square analysis also revealed that females had more knowledge than males in regards to knowing that risk factors for Diabetes is excessive sugar intake.
Conclusions:
Results from this study are similar to others in that females had more knowledge and awareness of Diabetes than males. However, more studies are needed among historically black colleges and universities. Recommendations are made to further educate African American college students in improving their knowledge towards Diabetes Mellitus.