Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward type 2 diabetes screening among adults in Bisha province: A community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adult individuals regarding type 2 diabetes screening.

Method: The community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to June 2024 after approval from the ethics review committee of Bisha College of Medicine, Saudi Arabia, and comprised adult residents of Bisha province regardless of gender. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and relationships between categorical variables and sociodemographic factors were explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.

Results: Of the 512 respondents, (61.7%) were male, (74.8%) lived in Bisha city, (58.4%) were married, and (44.7%) were aged 18-30 years. Overall, 288(56.3%) subjects showed good knowledge of type 2 diabetes screening, 395(77.1%) had a positive attitude, and 391(76.4%) practiced screening well. Knowledge was linked to marital status (p=0.011), and attitude to education level (p=0.037), while practice had a significant association with age (p<0.001), education level (p=0.001) and marital status (p<0.001). Divorced individuals had lower odds of having good knowledge (p=0.011). Participants aged >31 years had lower odds of good practices than those aged 18-30 years.

Conclusion: Knowledge of and attitudes towards type 2 diabetes screening were consistent across demographics, but practices varied. Improving community screening may require addressing behavioural and structural barriers, particularly for older adults, rather than just increasing awareness.

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Type 2, Mass screening, Health knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Adult, Cross-sectional studies.