Scoping Review of Knowledge,Attitude and Practices Related to NCD Risk Factors Among Medical Undergraduates,India

Abstract

India is witnessing an epidemiologic transition from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Prevention of the NCD risk factors is an effective way, and future doctors play a vital role in preventing the disease epidemics. Undergraduate medical education forms the basis of knowledge development, including NCD risk factors. With this backdrop, the scoping review aimed to map available evidence on the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices related to NCD risk factors amongst medical undergraduates in India. A systematic search was conducted using key terms from five electronic databases of peer-reviewed articles. Two reviewers independently screened all articles for eligibility and assessed the quality of included studies. Studies were included if they reported on the medical students’ knowledge, attitude, perception and practice related to NCD risk factors. Thirteen studies on undergraduate medical students in India were included in the systematic review. Twelve of these reported on students’ knowledge about NCD risk factors, nine explored their attitude towards NCD risk factor prevention, and eleven studies were on the practice of NCD prevention. The studies revealed a high level of knowledge about NCD risk factors. Still, their attitude and practices about NCD reduction were deficient. An overall rise in health-risking behaviour and a fall in health-promoting behaviour was observed by various studies. The level of physical activity among girls was significantly lower compared to the boys. Studies show many few students take patient history or counsel their patients to quit unhealthy lifestyle habits. Various studies found a rise in health-risking behaviour and a fall in health-promoting behaviour among medical students, which suggest creating an enabling environment and conducive climate for promoting healthy behaviour that can then be taught to their patients.