Knowledge about type 2 diabetes among visitors of two shopping centers in upper Silesia, Poland: A survey research performed as a part of social action “Health under control”

Abstract

Introduction. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a non-infectious epidemic of the 21st century; therefore, it is essential to focus on prophylaxis, early detection and proper treatment in order to avoid its complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate diabetes-related knowledge among visitors of two shopping centers in Upper Silesia in Poland. The study was conducted by medical students from Medical University of Silesia in cooperation with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations in Poland under supervision of doctors from the Department of Internal Diseases, Diabetology and Nephrology in Zabrze. Material and methods. People were invited to fulfill a 12-item questionnaire evaluating the basic diabetes-related knowledge (among others symptoms of hyperglycemia, risk factors, complications and treatment of diabetes mellitus). They had their weight and height measurement performed as well as glycemia measured with the use of glucometer. Results. 401 out of 1500 invited shopping-center visitors agreed to take part in the study (27%) and their mean score of the diabetes knowledge test was 54.7 ± 18.7% of the correct answers. It turned out that there is an association of knowledge about diabetes with person’s age and gender — younger people and women had a better knowledge about diabetes. Conclusions. There should be a great attention paid to different forms of education in order to improve the level of diabetes-related knowledge among the general public as a way to improve early diagnosis and a proper treatment.