Socio-demographic correlates of awareness of diabetes and hypertension among teenage students in Sunder Nagar District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India

Muskan; Dinesh Kumar; Manoj Kumar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253698

Authors

Muskan Centre of Public Health Panjab University, Chandigarh, India Centre of Public Health, Chandigarh, India
Dinesh Kumar Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
Manoj Kumar Centre of Public Health Panjab University, Chandigarh, India Centre of Public Health, Chandigarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20253698

Keywords:

Adolescents, Diabetes, Hypertension, Awareness, Non-communicable diseases (NCD), Health education

Abstract

Background: Adolescents are forming long-term health habits throughout this time. Prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires early awareness, especially of diabetes and hypertension. Objective was to assess awareness of teenager students regarding risk factors of diabetes and hypertension. To investigate socio-demographic characteristics of students that influence awareness patterns.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Sunder Nagar, Himachal Pradesh during January 2025 to June 2025. Total 182 school going teenagers aged 14-19 years were included as selected by stratified random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic factors, diabetes and hypertension awareness, and health-related information sources. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for analysis in SPSS version 26.0.

Results: Majority of respondents (95.6%) had some understanding of hypertension, whereas awareness of diabetes was lower, with 79.7% having minimal knowledge and 4.9% having none. No significant gender differences in awareness levels were found (p>0.05). Age was significantly associated with hypertension awareness (p=0.031). Family and friends (34.6%) were the most frequent sources of health information, followed by healthcare professionals (28.6%) and schools (22.0%).

Conclusions: The study identifies significant gaps in awareness among teenagers for diabetes and hypertension irrespective of their socio-demographic characteristics. It emphasizes the importance of structured, school-based health education programs to increase knowledge and promote healthy behaviours of young adolescent students. It will be helpful in minimizing India's future burden of NCDs.

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