Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is linked with increased mortality, morbidity, and vascular system complications, poor quality of life, and reduced general health. The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of high school students about diabetes Mellitus.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at five major high schools in Buraydah City, Saudi Arabia. The selection of schools was based on geographic clustering sampling to get a representative sample. Randomly selected 408 students completed a self-administered questionnaire adapted from a previous study.
Results: The average knowledge score was 23.9 ± 5.7 out of 36. The percentages of the right response vary between 21.1% to 95.0% for general knowledge, 35.2% to 85.6% for risk factors, 42.2% to 88.8% for symptoms and complications, 52.4% to 90.8% for treatment and management, and 57.8% to 95.3% for monitoring diabetes.
Conclusion: The students who have participated in this study had an average level of knowledge except in a few areas. The study proposes cooperation between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health to fill these gaps.

Key words: Diabetes Mellitus, Saudi Arabia, Buraydah city, Adolescents, Knowledge