Awareness of type 2 diabetes mellitus amongst non -healthcare students of a university in Malaysia

This study investigates the level of awareness about Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among non-medical students at AIMST University, analysing the knowledge and misconceptions surrounding the causes, symptoms, and management of T2DM. The research aims to explore awareness differences across gender and ethnicity among students. Our sample size was 158 respondents, with participants being between 21-23 years of age from the faculties of engineering and business. Our study found that students possess varied levels of awareness, with the majority recognizing basic symptoms like frequent urination and thirst but many holding misconceptions about diet and exercise in managing diabetes. For example, a significant number mistakenly believe diabetes is best monitored by urine testing or that increased exercise heightens the need for insulin, highlighting the need for better health education. Only 65 out of 158 respondents (42%) were aware that diet and exercise are more important than medication to control Diabetes. Overall, this study identifies notable gaps in diabetes knowledge, emphasizing the importance of targeted educational strategies.