Assessement of Diabetes Related-Knowledge and Practice Among Algerian University Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Background: Diabetes is increasing significantly in the world especially among low and middle income countries including Algeria. It is ranked second in term of incidence in Algeria with about 2.8 million patients of more than 18 years old. Methods: This study was conducted aiming to evaluate the level of knowledge and lifestyle practice among Algerian university students. A national online based cross-sectional survey was conducted between 14 November 2022 and 11 February 2023 using a self administered questionnaire. Results: 417 students finally answered to the questionnaire. Demographically, females (82%), singles (86.1%), those aged between 20 and 30 years old (62.2%) and those living in urban areas (86.8%) were the most represented. More than half were students of bachelor level (52.3%) and were mainly studying Natural and Life Sciences (37.2%) and humanities (29.5%) and 10.6% of them declared living with diabetes. Overall, an acceptable average percentage of 75.1% correct responses was obtained traducing a score of 41.3+7.354/54 and 54.6% of the respondent have shown a high level of knowledge. If age, the field of study and father education were associated with high level of knowledge, Health Sciences students (OR: 10.175, CI 95%: 2.985-34.677) and diabetics (OR: 10.486, CI95%: 3.424-32.12) were so far highly significant factors. Regarding lifestyle practice, a medium level of good practice of 54.2% defining a score of 4.88+1.971/9 was obtained and the level of knowledge was the only associated factor. Conclusion: These results described that despite the medium to acceptable levels of knowledge and good practice some gaps exists especially among certain categories especially among students other than those of Health and Natural an Life Sciences. Results of this study could be helpful to the health program deciders in their campaigns of prevention against this silent disease.