Diabetes Knowledge, Practices, and Risk Perception among Saudi University Students: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Study

Type 2 diabetes is an escalating concern among youth. This research aimed to evaluate university students' knowledge about diabetes, their health-related practices, and perceived risks of developing the disease in Saudi Arabia. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out between February 2021 and December 2022, targeting students from all academic levels. Sociodemographic data, diabetes history, and lifestyle factors were collected using a validated questionnaire assessing diabetes knowledge, practices, and perceived risk. Among 1,312 participants, 66% were female, 42% were in their first year, and 60% had a family history of diabetes. Dietary knowledge received the lowest scores, and there were gaps in seeking information from healthcare professionals and following diabetes-related news. Overall, 83% of students had low to moderate diabetes knowledge, 54% exhibited neutral health practices, and 44.6% perceived themselves as high risk of developing diabetes. Factors significantly associated with diabetes knowledge and practices included age, education, family history, and workshop participation (p < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that education level and knowledge explained 10.3% of the variance in diabetes-related practices (p < 0.001). In conclusion, University students demonstrated low to moderate diabetes knowledge and neutral health practices, particularly regarding diet and information-seeking behaviors. Public education initiatives tailored for university students are critical to improving diabetes prevention behaviors and promoting healthy lifestyles.