Evaluating Hyperglycaemia-Related Knowledge: A CrossSectional Survey

Abstract

Hyperglycaemia constitutes a core metabolic disturbance in diabetes mellitus and presents a growing concern for public health in India, particularly among younger populations. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to evaluate awareness levels pertaining to hyperglycaemia, including its clinical manifestations, predisposing factors, and preventive strategies, among 270 pharmacy undergraduates aged 18-28 years at JBIT College of Pharmacy, Dehradun. Data collection spanned six months and utilized a pre-tested structured questionnaire administered via Google Forms. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Among respondents, 70.4% were male and 29.6% were female. Results indicated that 86.3% of students possessed prior familiarity with hyperglycaemia, while 81.1% had previously encountered information about elevated blood glucose. Recognition of symptoms was considerable: 84.8% identified increased urinary frequency, 83.0% recognized excessive thirst, 80.4% noted blurred vision, and 77.8% identified fatigue. The connection between hyperglycaemia and diabetes was understood by 81.5% of participants. Concerning risk factors, 80.7% cited high sugar consumption, 83.3% pointed to insulin dysfunction, and 80.7% acknowledged stress. Preventive knowledge was also notable, with 82.2% aware of the benefits of physical activity and 82.6% recognizing the importance of dietary management. The study concludes that pharmacy students at JBIT College demonstrate substantial awareness of hyperglycaemia and its features, reflecting adequate coverage within the existing pharmacy curriculum. Incorporating focused clinical training on patient counselling and early detection could further strengthen the preparedness of future pharmacists in diabetes care.[1-4]