Knowledge of Students in Health and Non-Health Studies about Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Štefanija Kolačko*; Antonio Kokot; Nina Čuljak; Jurica Predović; Martina Hrvačić; Franka Luetić; Marko Bašković

doi:10.26332/seemedj.v7i2.290

Štefanija Kolačko* University Hospital “Sveti Duh”, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Antonio Kokot Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Nina Čuljak Health center Zaprešić, Zaprešić, Croatia
Jurica Predović University Hospital “Sveti Duh”, Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Martina Hrvačić University Hospital "Sveti Duh", Zagreb, Croatia
Franka Luetić Health center Zagreb – West, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Bašković Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26332/seemedj.v7i2.290

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research paper is to examine and compare the knowledge of students in health and non-health studies about diabetes mellitus type 1. Namely, the research examined whether the respondents are sufficiently educated about the disease itself, treatment and preventive measures of diabetes type 1. Their knowledge was examined with regards to their age, gender and the type of studies they attend.

Respondents and methods: The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study. 101 respondents participated in the research. An anonymous online questionnaire was used as a measuring instrument, which was created for the purpose of this research. The research was conducted in July and August 2022.

Results: Most respondents have good knowledge about diabetes mellitus, which is evident in the correct answers to the questions in the survey questionnaire. Statistically, significant differences were found in the students’ knowledge with regards to their age, gender and type of study. Respondents who participate in health studies have a higher level of knowledge than respondents who do not participate in health studies. Female respondents have a higher level of knowledge than male respondents. Older respondents also have greater knowledge about the disease itself.

Conclusion: Students who study health studies show a higher level of knowledge than students of other studies. Most of the respondents were well educated about type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is one of the biggest public health problems nowadays, and measures of prevention and education of the population should be implemented as much as possible in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, colleges, hospitals, and the health system.

Sažetak

Cilj istraživanja: Cilj ovoga istraživačkog rada je ispitati i usporediti znanje studenata zdravstvenih i nezdravstvenih studija o dijabetesu melitusu tipa 1. Istraživano je jesu li ispitanici dovoljno educirani o samoj bolesti, liječenju i preventivnim mjerama dijabetesa tipa 1. Njihovo znanje ispitano je s obzirom na dob, spol i vrstu studija koje pohađaju.

Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje je provedeno kao presječna studija. U istraživanju je sudjelovao 101 ispitanik. Kao mjerni instrument korišten je anonimni on-line upitnik, koji je kreiran za potrebe ovog istraživanja. Istraživanje je provedeno u srpnju i kolovozu 2022. godine.

Rezultati: Većina ispitanika ima dobro znanje o dijabetesu melitusu, što je vidljivo iz točnih odgovora na pitanja u anketnom upitniku. Statistički značajne razlike utvrđene su u znanju studenata s obzirom na dob, spol i vrstu studija. Ispitanici koji pohađaju zdravstvene studije imaju višu razinu znanja od ispitanika koji ne studiraju na zdravstvenim studijima. Ženski ispitanici imaju višu razinu znanja od muških ispitanika. Stariji ispitanici također imaju veće znanje o samoj bolesti.

Zaključak: Studenti koji studiraju na zdravstvenim studijima pokazuju višu razinu znanja od studenata drugih studija. Većina ispitanika bila je dobro educirana o dijabetesu melitusu tipa 1. Dijabetes je jedan od najvećih javnozdravstvenih problema danas, te bi mjere prevencije i edukacije stanovništva trebale biti što je moguće više implementirane u vrtiće, osnovne i srednje škole, fakultete, bolnice i zdravstveni sustav.