Factor structure of the diabetes knowledge questionnaire and the assessment of the knowledge of risk factors, causes, complications, and management of diabetes mellitus: A national population-based study in Singapore

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 10;17(8):e0272745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272745. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

This study evaluated the knowledge of diabetes mellitus and predictors of the level of diabetes knowledge among the general public of Singapore. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to evaluate the fit of different factor models for the diabetes knowledge questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine the sociodemographic characteristics associated with diabetes knowledge. The final factor model identified three domains for diabetes knowledge: general knowledge, diabetes specific knowledge and causes of diabetes, and complications of untreated diabetes. Overall knowledge scores were 23.8 ± 2.4 for general diabetes knowledge, 2.3 ± 0.8 for diabetes specific knowledge, 2.3 ± 1.2 for causes, and 5.2 ± 1.2 for complications of untreated diabetes. Patients with diabetes were more knowledgeable than adults without diabetes in the population. While the general public in Singapore has adequate knowledge of diabetes, misconceptions were identified in both groups which underscores the need to tailor specific educational initiatives to reduce these diabetes knowledge gaps.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Singapore / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Medical Research Council of Singapore, grant number NMRC/HSRG/0085/2018. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.