Knowledge of medical students regarding diabetes mellitus at Ziauddin University, Karachi.

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge among medical students of Ziauddin University regarding Diabetes Mellitus.

METHODS

A cross sectional survey of medical students from first year to final year at the medical college was conducted on a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Students were divided into preclinical and clinical years for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 366 students participated, with 145 (39.6%) from the preclinical group and 221 (60.4%) from the clinical group. Overall 89% students knew that diabetes is a metabolic disorder, 78% knew that pancreas is the site of insulin production and 77% students correctly identified main target organ of insulin. Regarding presentation, 67% said polyphagia, 50% said weight loss while only 18% claimed pruritus vulvae to be the presenting symptom. Majority from the clinical group (95%) while 86% of preclinical group knew about risk factors for diabetes (p = 0.003). Regarding prevention, 89% of clinical group knew that diabetes is preventable but 49% preclinical students did not have an idea of prevention (p < 0.001). A large number from clinical group (87%) said that there is some criteria of screening for diabetes while only 30% of preclinical group knew about screening (p < 0.001). Correct diagnostic criteria for diabetes according to WHO was identified by 55% clinical and only 6% of preclinical students (p < 0.001). Over two-third (78%) of clinical while only 50% of preclinical students said that diabetes should not always be treated with drugs (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The knowledge of students about diabetes was more in the clinical group as compared to the preclinical group, whereas, overall knowledge of the students was adequate. Medical students are the future physicians, therefore the medical curriculum should lay emphasis on educating students, patient based clinically oriented approaches for dealing with this epidemiologically important disease.