Non-diabetic young and adults’ knowledge about diabetes: an exploratory study

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with sedentary behavior, inadequate lifestyle, and unhealthy eating habits, increasingly affecting the Brazilian and global population. Public awareness about the various aspects of this disease is crucial for its prevention. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of a group of non-diabetic young adults regarding diabetes, particularly type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), identifying the discrepancies between the knowledge of this population and scientific knowledge. The research adopted a qualitative-quantitative, exploratory approach. Two distinct groups of young adults, aged between 18 and 44 years, participated in the study. A theoretical framework on diabetes was developed, from which a questionnaire was created and administered to the participants. The results revealed that, although some respondents demonstrate satisfactory knowledge about the disease, a significant portion of respondents showed considerable knowledge gaps in their understanding of diabetes. These data indicate that access to accurate information and the the promotion of preventive health is fundamental to improving this scenario. It is concluded that educational strategies focused on disseminating accurate information about diabetes, especially to young adults, are essential for preventing and controlling this disease, contributing to the reduction of its incidence and impact on public health.