ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS PROVIDING NUTRITION CARE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS IN THE AKMOLA REGION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Abstract

The purpose of our study is to assess the level of knowledge of medical students on proper nutrition for various pathologies. Senior medical students at the Faculty of Medicine at Ualikhanov University in Kokshetau were asked to complete an online survey of knowledge about nutrition and attitudes towards providing nutrition care. The survey included forty multiple-choice questions regarding nutrition knowledge for caring for patients with obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hospitalized patients, using questions previously published for a similar study. Fifty-eight students were surveyed. According to the survey results, nutrition knowledge was poor, with an average score of 42.15% on the knowledge test. However, attitudes towards providing nutrition care were positive, and students agreed strongly with the importance of providing nutrition guidance to their patients. Considering the importance of nutrition in various pathologies, this study shows that it is necessary to further improve the methodology of teaching the discipline of dietetics in the Faculty of Medicine, and also to increase training hours.