AWARENESS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS ABOUT LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS IN PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS AND HYPERTENSION- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Lifestyle modifications, such as adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and ensuring sufficient sleep, have proven effective in managing and preventing diabetes and hypertension. To assess the knowledge of lifestyle interventions for Non communicable diseases(NCD) among medical students, exploring their willingness to engage in patient counselling and adhere to healthy practices themselves.
METHODOLOGY
In a cross – sectional study a structured validated questionnaire, assessing the medical students’ knowledge, willingness to spread awareness, and self-assessment of healthy lifestyle habits was administered to medical students.
RESULTS
250 survey responses were collected from medical students, with an 83.9% response rate. Students were categorized into two groups: Group A (first and second-year) and Group B (third, fourth, and internship year). Group B students exhibited significantly better
knowledge than Group A students (p = 0.0049). More than 90% students had positive attitudes toward lifestyle assessment and counselling. Group A students had healthier practices (p = 0.0012), but 4th-year students and interns showed lower adherence (p =
0.0066). Knowledge had a non-significant positive influence on spreading awareness (p =0.1862) but not on adopting healthier lifestyles (p = 0.2329). Over 17.47% of the students, despite having at least an average level of knowledge, had unhealthy lifestyles.CONCLUSION
Medical students in general had good knowledge levels, yet significant gaps remained. Despite their positive attitudes toward promoting healthy lifestyles and sufficient knowledge, a notable number of students faced challenges in adopting these practices, highlighting the need to address the knowledge-to-practice gap.