Overview of Non-Health Students' Knowledge about Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Universitas Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2T2DM) is a non-communicable disease with a rising global prevalence, including in Indonesia. Understanding T2T2DM is crucial for its prevention and control, particularly among students whose modern lifestyles may increase their risk. This study aims to assess the knowledge of non-health students about T2T2DM at Universitas Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai. A descriptive quantitative approach was used, involving 358 respondents from various non-health study programs selected through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire comprising 20 questions on the definition, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention of T2T2DM. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (288 students, 80.4%) had poor knowledge of T2T2DM. These results highlight the need for universities to integrate health education, particularly on T2T2DM, into the general curriculum and campus-based initiatives to enhance students' awareness and early prevention efforts. Future research should employ more representative sampling techniques to capture a broader range of student characteristics and improve the generalizability of findings.