Abstract
Background: The diabetes prevalence rate is high in Saudi Arabia (SA), rendering it a priority for the Saudi government and community. Nurses play a significant role in providing appropriate care for diabetes patients. Consequently, it is important to examine nursing students' knowledge of diabetes in SA.
Aim: To examine nursing students' perceived and actual knowledge of diabetes and its care & and management in SA.
Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design including a convenience sample of 149 undergraduate nursing students at a newly established in SA to examine their perceived and actual knowledge of diabetes care and its management. The Diabetes Self-Report Tool was used to assess perceived knowledge, while the Diabetes Basic Knowledge Tool was used to assess actual knowledge.
Results: Nursing students in this study had a positive view of their diabetes knowledge, with a mean score (standard deviation (SD)) of 49.6 (5.9) (of a maximum 68); however, their mean score (SD) for actual knowledge was only 14.08 (5.78) (of a maximum 49). These results indicate a significant gap between perceived and actual knowledge as well as an inadequate level of actual knowledge regarding diabetes and its care and management. Nursing students aged 25 and older, those with five years or more of experience, those in their fourth rather than third academic year, and those with a diploma degree rather than a secondary school certificate had significantly higher actual diabetes knowledge.
Conclusion: The low level of actual knowledge regarding diabetes care and management demands attention from nursing schools. There is a need to increase content and improve the teaching method in nursing programmes with regard to diabetes care and its management.