Abstract:

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease in which requires long life treatment. It is predicted by WHO that the number of people with DM increase in Asia and Africa to reach 221 millions of people by 2010. In Sub Saharan Africa alone, the number of people of DM is predicted to increase from 7 million to 18 million by 2030 and all this has been said to be contributed by change of lifestyle, westernization. In urban and rural areas of Tanzania in 1984-1989 showed a prevalence ratio of 5 to 1 respectively. Hence there is a concern on assessing the awareness, attitude and practices concerning DM to these adults of future days since DM particularly type 2 is steadily growing as a global epidemic. Through assessing the knowledge will be an initial step towards understanding the level knowledge of the community on this non-communicable disease.

Broad objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards diabetes mellitus among secondary school students in Nyamagana district.

Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was done where by a total of 260 students were involved from three different secondary schools in Nyamagana district, Mwanza. A structured questionnaire including questions on knowledge on DM, risk factors and symptoms knowledge assessment. Community beliefs on DM and practice. Dummy tables are used and EPI info 2002 version 6 computer program for analysis of the results.

Results: A total of 260 student were involved, majority of them 81% were in age group 17-20 years the rest are above 20 years of age, and 19.2% were in ordinary level, 80.8% were in advanced level. All student have heard about DM from different sources. 54% have heard from school, 41% from hospital and from relatives and friends in 54% majority of the student 83% are aware of the cause of DM and only 17% do not know what do cause DM. Only 43% of the students know the classical presentation of DM while 57% do not know.

Conclusion: The reason sighted for increase of DM especially in urban areas is due to a little knowledge on factors contributing to DM, this has been explained by just few students 21% agreeing that on avoiding westernization, doing exercises, eating appropriate and required diet prevent the disease but majority 79% do not believe that doing those things can prevent the disease. Also 57% of the students believe that it occurs due to too much eating of sugary food.