EVALUATION OF CLINICAL AWARENESS OF DIABETIC MELLITUS AMONG RAKMHSU MEDICAL STUDENTS- A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: The number of patients with diabetes are increasing in rapid phase and the present medical students will encounter such patients in the future very often. It is essential to understand and update their knowledge through education and awareness programs.

Materials and methods: The cross-sectional questionnaire survey has been conducted in RAK Medical and Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU) with due approval from research ethics committee. After going through various indexed articles related to our topic, a pre designed pre validated questionnaire was prepared. The questionnaire assessed the knowledge about symptoms, investigations, treatment and complications. This was applied after validation to second, third, fourth and fifth year medical students.

Results: The study showed as that majority in both groups 93.5% and 89.2% agreed that they will be involved in taking care of diabetic patients in their future practice. The study also found that 65.2% group A didn’t agree that excessive thirst and urination is a indicative of low blood sugar when compared with 31.7% from group B. With regard to symptoms majority in both groups agreed itchy skin is not a symptom of DM.  When asked about insulin misuse, only 36.8% and 55.4% students agreed that blood glucose will reduce to below 50mg/dl.

Discussion and conclusion: Our study correlated with various studies which showed that many students had problems in treatment aspects. But we also had positive results which correlated with other study showing they have good knowledge about the symptoms of DM. We also found our students had good knowledge about diabetic ketoacidosis.

In conclusion, there is a need for conducting regular workshops, seminars, conferences in medical colleges to upgrade the knowledge of students and make them competent general physicians.

Key words: Diabetes, Keto acidosis, Education, Knowledge, Risk factors