Assessing the Awareness of Prediabetes and Its Risk Factors among medical students

Introduction: Prediabetes is a condition where blood glucose levels are elevated but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. It is typically identified through impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), with specific blood sugar thresholds. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 29 and November 26, 2024, involving medical students from the 2nd to 5th years. Data was gathered through a semi-structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and the results were expressed in percentages. Results: Among the 213 respondents, the majority were in their 2nd year (42.7%) and aged between 20-25 years (61.5%), with a slightly higher proportion of males (53.1%). Most respondents were Muslim (53.1%) and from India (69%). While many students were aware of prediabetes (168 participants), only 53 had attended extra classes on the topic. Knowledge of prediabetes improved as students advanced in their studies. Fifth-year students demonstrated the best understanding of key topics, such as HbA1c levels (66.7%) and prediabetes complications (89.9%). Second-year students had a solid grasp of prediabetes, while third-year students showed relatively less knowledge. Conclusion: This study reveals that medical students possess general knowledge about prediabetes, its risk factors, and symptoms, but there are areas that require improvement. Although many students were familiar with the definition of prediabetes, few had participated in additional educational sessions on the subject. Awareness of risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, was moderate, and some students were unaware that prediabetes can be asymptomatic. Clinical knowledge tended to improve with academic progression, with older students exhibiting a stronger understanding of diagnostic criteria and complications. Younger students, particularly those in the second and third years, had less comprehensive knowledge. These results emphasize the need for enhanced education, especially for students in the earlier years of their medical studies.