title: Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) Among Medical Students in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital: An Observational Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of Diabetes Mellitus and its important complication Diabetic Ketoacidosis is very crucial in today's world where the prevalence of Diabetes is very high. Medical students are the pillars of our future healthcare system and it is important to evaluate and update their knowledge and awareness regarding these both conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a cross-sectional; Questionnaire based observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. The respondents were final year MBBS students of that college. Study instrument was a self developed, pre-validated, semi-structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 73 questionnaires were considered for analysis, giving a response rate of 90.12% with 43.83% and 56.16% were male and female respondents respectively. About 81.25% and 90.24% of male and female respondents gave correct answer to question related to the best indicator of glycemic control. Lack of knowledge was seen regarding the world Diabetes day. Approximately 37% of the respondent's parents were diabetic. Only 12 out of 73 respondents were aware about the factors leading to DKA.8 out of 73 were aware about investigations to be done in DKA. Around 43.84% of responders knew regarding the proper screening duration in person with risk of diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the study it was concluded that most of the students have basic knowledge regarding diabetes mellitus, its clinical features and management etc but only 50 % of the respondent were aware about DKA and further teaching and post teaching evaluation are needed in future direction.
authors: Senior Resident, Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS , New Delhi, India .
authors: Harmanjit
authors: H
authors: Singh
authors: Medical Officer, Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute , Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Pugazhenthan
authors: P
authors: Thangaraju
authors: Medical Officer, Nallur PHC , Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Suresh
authors: S
authors: Kumar
authors: Junior Statistical Officer, Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute , Chengalpattu, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Aravindan
authors: MBBS Student, Annapoorna Medical College , Salem, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Hariharan
authors: H
authors: Balasubramanian
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Computer and Statistics, SKP Engineering College , Thiruvanaamalai, Tamilnadu, India .
authors: Tamil
authors: T
authors: Selvan
keywords: Awareness; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic Ketoacidosis; Knowledge; MBBS Students