Understanding diabetes: awareness and misconceptions among high school and university students in Bangkok and vicinities
Keywords:
Diabetes awareness, risk perception, adolescents, health education, ThailandAbstract
Diabetes is an increasing public health concern in Thailand, particularly among younger populations. To support effective prevention, early awareness and accurate understanding of the disease are essential. This cross-sectional study assessed diabetes awareness, perceived risk, and factors influencing risk perception among 1,063 high school and university students in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. Participants completed an online questionnaire covering demographic information, a 20-item diabetes knowledge test, and a self-assessment of perceived risk for developing diabetes. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.
Over half of the participants (54.66%) had low knowledge scores, while only 15.24% demonstrated high knowledge. Most perceived themselves at moderate (45.52%) or low (24.65%) risk of developing diabetes. Family history of diabetes and knowledge level were significant predictors of risk perception (p< 0.001).
The findings reveal critical knowledge gaps and highlight the influence of family history on risk perception. Targeted health education for youth is essential to improve understanding and reduce future diabetes risk.
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เนื้อหาและข้อมูลในบทความที่ลงตีพิมพ์ในวารสารวารสารวิจัยสาธารณสุขศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยราชภัฏอุบลราชธานี ถือเป็นข้อคิดเห็นและความรับผิดชอบของผู้เขียนบทความโดยตรงซึ่งกองบรรณาธิการวารสาร ไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นด้วย หรือร่วมรับผิดชอบใดๆ
บทความ ข้อมูล เนื้อหา รูปภาพ ฯลฯ ที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์ในวารสารนี้ ถือเป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสารฯ หากบุคคลหรือหน่วยงานใดต้องการนำทั้งหมดหรือส่วนหนึ่งส่วนใดไปเผยแพร่ต่อหรือเพื่อกระทำการใดๆ จะต้องได้รับอนุญาตเป็นลายลักอักษรณ์จากบรรณาธิการวารสารนี้ก่อนเท่านั้น
