Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2 (2022)

Date Log

Submitted
Apr 19, 2023
Published
Apr 19, 2023

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Non-Communicable Diseases among Students and Staff at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education in Tanzania

Stephen Maluka
Dar es Salaam University College of Education University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Saning’o Sanget
Dar es Salaam University College of Education University of Dar es Salaam,

Journal of Education, Humanities & Science (JEHS), Vol. 11 No. 2 (2022)

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are among the major public health problems facing
the world today. Despite contributing to over half of all deaths worldwide, and being a
major challenge in low- and middle-income countries, NCDs have received less attention.
In Tanzania, studies focusing on the assessment of comprehensive knowledge of NCDs
are lacking. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of the Dar es
Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) community on selected NCDs. A cross-
sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices on selected
NCDs. The study involved both students and staff at the DUCE. A descriptive analysis was
adopted for the quantitative data collected through structured questionnaires. The study
findings show that the general knowledge of the DUCE community about some selected
NCDs was generally high. However, there was a very low level of knowledge about risk
factors, early symptoms and preventive measures. Regarding risk factors, a very small
proportion of students (1.6%) and staff (3.1%) consumed tobacco products. Only 75 (13.1%)
of students and 70 (36.5%) of staff consumed alcohol. The intake of fruits and vegetables
among the community was insufficient. About 493 (86%) of the students and 135 (70.3%)
of the staff added salt or salty sauce to their meals. As for physical activities, 234 (40.8%)
of the students and 99 (51.6%) of the staff reported that they ran or participated in games
and sports for at least one day in a week. The study concludes that while generally there
is a high level of knowledge about NCDs, there is a very low level of knowledge about risk
factors, early symptoms and preventive measures. The study underlines the need to
increase the awareness of the DUCE population on risk factors associated with NCDs, early
signs and preventive measures that people should take to prevent NCDs in the future.

Keywords

higher education public health, iseases HIV/AIDS Tanzania
Maluka, S. . ., & Sanget, S. . (2023). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Non-Communicable Diseases among Students and Staff at the Dar es Salaam University College of Education in Tanzania. Journal of Education, Humanities & Science (JEHS), 11(2). Retrieved from https://ojs3.bongotech.info/index.php/jehs/article/view/203
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