A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PRACTICE OF DIABETES AND ITS RISK FACTORS AMONG ADULTS IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assessed knowledge, awareness, and practices related to diabetes, examined the association between diabetes knowledge and the computed risk score, and identified significant risk factors among adults in Klang Valley. The study was conducted among 200 adults aged 20–60 years in Klang Valley, Malaysia, recruited through convenience sampling in selected public areas and online platforms, which enabled the researchers to approach adults from the target age group in accessible community settings, while online recruitment facilitated wider access to eligible participants. Data were collected using a bilingual, self-administered questionnaire. Risk, knowledge, and practice scores were categorised using scoring systems adapted from previous studies. The majority of respondents demonstrated good knowledge (60.0%) and healthy practices (54.5%), yet 61.5% were classified as having high diabetes risk based on the computed risk-scoring tool. Knowledge level was not significantly associated with the computed diabetes risk score (X = 0.0563, p = 0.812). However, significant associations (p less than 0.05) were found between self-reported diabetes status and behavioural factors, including stress management, smoking, physical activity, health check-up frequency, and added-sugar intake. These findings suggest that behavioural factors were associated with self-reported diabetes status, highlighting the need for targeted lifestyle interventions alongside knowledge dissemination.