Knowledge of Diabetes Mellitus among Undergraduate Clinical Students of Sindh Medical College

Objective: To determine the knowledge of undergraduate students of Sindh Medical College regarding Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Sindh Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (SMC-JSMU). The participants were students of 3rd year, 4th year and 5th year M.B.B.S. The sample size was calculated to be 282, using open EPI software. The data was collected through a scientifically designed questionnaire which included questions about the over all knowledge, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, treatment, methods of prevention, and WHO criteria of Diabetes Mellitus. SPSS version 22.0 was used for data analysis. Results: About 275 (98%) students had knowledge of the site of insulin production and 255 (90%) knew exactly how insulin produces its effects. Regarding the clinical presentation of DM, 262 (93%) of them agreed that hunger, thirst, and urination present as the major symptoms of this disease (p=0.005). Family history was considered as the prime risk factor by 93 (98%), 83 (95%) and 86 (86%) of final year, fourth, and third year students respectively (p=0.003). Furthermore, 254 (90%) selected retinopathy (p=0.00), 239 (85%) preferred nephropathy (p=0.003) and 224 (79%) considered neuropathy (p=0.024) as the most significant complication of DM. Moreover, the recall of the WHO diagnostic criteria for DM was comparatively lower in final year students (p=0.003). Conclusion: The over all knowledge of undergraduate medical students of Sindh Medical College was found to be satisfactory. Most of the students considered medical education as an adequate source of knowledge in this regard. However, capability of diagnosing DM was found to be comparatively low among final year M.B.B.S. students.