Knowledge and attitudes towards type 2 diabetes and prevention strategies among regular street food consumers: a cross sectional study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude of Regular Street Food Consumers (RSFCs) towards type 2 diabetes prevention strategies and the influence of knowledge and attitude on metabolic risk factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 560 RSFCs in Dar-es-Salaam. Data on demographic characteristics, behavioural risks for type 2 diabetes, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, knowledge and attitude data were collected. Using linear regression, we assessed the factors associated with the outcomes of interest. Significant factors associated with increased knowledge scores were being between 41 and 64 years old, having secondary/college education and high income. Positive attitude scores were associated with being female, having secondary/college education and being married/cohabiting. Combined scores were a blend of the separate scores related to knowledge and attitude; age, sex, education, income and marital status were significantly associated with this parameter. The prevalence rates of low knowledge, negative attitude and low combined low knowledge and negative attitude were 78.3%, 32.0% and 68.8%, respectively. Those found with combined good knowledge and negative attitude were significantly more likely to have increased: fasting blood glucose levels, body mass index and waist circumference. Among the study participants, knowledge was low, and attitudes was negative towards preventative measures for type 2 diabetes among RSFCs. Furthermore, having adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards non-communicable diseases including type 2 diabetes did not influence risk factors for type 2 diabetes. We recommend awareness campaigns and interventions that can influence behavioural change among RSFCs and vendors towards type 2 diabetes prevention.