Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Female Non-medical Undergraduates regarding Lifestyle Diseases – Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Polycyctic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

introduction

Lifestyle diseases among female adolescents are a growing concern in public health specialists significantly

improving their reproductive and general health. Apart from knowledge about risk factors and complications of

these diseases, right attitude and practice are also necessary to prevent them. Hence this study was undertaken to

assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of non-medical undergraduate students regarding Polycystic Ovarian

Syndrome (PCOS) and other lifestyle diseases like hypertension and type-2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Material and Methods

A total of 300 students selected from three different streams by simple random method were included in the study.

The study was an institution-based cross-sectional study done using a questionnaire designed for this purpose and

validated. The knowledge, attitude and practice scores were calculated and means were compared between

different groups and also across socio-cultural factors.

Results

There was significant difference among the knowledge, attitude and practice scores of the three groups. The

students of applied science showed much higher level of knowledge compared to basic sciences and arts students.

However, that difference was not sustained when it came to attitude and practice.

Conclusion

Majority of the students were unaware of the lifestyle basis of PCOS. Knowledge about lifestyle diseases did not

translate into adequate preventive action among non-medical undergraduate students. Hence there is necessity to

sensitize them in taking adequate lifestyle changes at an early stage