%0 Journal Article
%T Awareness on non communicable diseases among advanced level students in rural health settings, Sri Lanka
%J -
%D 2015
%R 10.4038/amj.v9i2Supp.7570
%X Background High prevalence of poor knowledge, awareness, and practice on chronic non communicable diseases (NCD) has increased premature death, costly complications, and financial burden. School going populations¡¯ awareness and practices are crucial components in reducing the burden of diseases and its complications in future. The main aim of the study was to assess school going young populations¡¯ knowledge about NCD, its causes and complications and the methods which they used to get to know about NCD. Methods A school based cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area of Sri Lanka selecting a total of 700 school children using self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 17. Chi-square and Z test were used for test of significance and considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results Of 700 participants, 30.6% of boys were aware of NCD while only 15.6% of the girls were aware. There were 10.1% of students who knew about the NCD and among them, 5.4% were aware on causes for NCD. Most of the students obtained the knowledge on NCD through NCD patients who were living with them. Significantly less subjects (61.3%, 19/31) of girls than boys (85.1%, 57/67) could name at least one complication of NCD (P < 0.01, odds ratio [OR] =3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.3-5.6). Significant number of students acquired knowledge about NCD through patients at home than other modes of media (P = 0.02, OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 1.1-14.2). Conclusion Young population needs to be made aware of NCD, its causes and long-term complications. At the same time, efforts should be made to sensitize them through media and to make them realize the importance of knowing
%K Awareness
%K Advanced level student
%K Media
%K Non communicable diseases
%U https://amj.sljol.info/articles/10.4038/amj.v9i2Supp.7570/