The Effect Of Physical Activity On The Knowledge And Attitudes Of People With Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a major global health problem due to its increasing prevalence each year. Effective DM management aims to establish a healthy and balanced lifestyle, while failure to do so can lead to serious complications. One key component of diabetes management is regular physical activity. Efforts to promote such activity include improving patients’ knowledge and attitudes toward exercise. However, many DM patients still have limited understanding and maintain a focus solely on medication. This study analyzed the influence of knowledge and attitudes on physical activity among patients with DM at the Tenayan Raya Community Health Center, Pekanbaru. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, the research involved 70 respondents who completed questionnaires assessing physical activity, knowledge, and attitudes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and SmartPLS to test validity, reliability, and correlations. Reliability results were strong, with Cronbach’s Alpha (CA), Composite Reliability (CR), and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values as follows: physical activity (CA = 0.933, CR = 0.937, AVE = 0.625), knowledge (CA = 0.932, CR = 0.941, AVE = 0.624), and attitude (CA = 0.929, CR = 0.933, AVE = 0.610). Path analysis revealed significant relationships, with T-statistics > 1.96 and p < 0.05 for all tested variables. The effect of knowledge on physical activity showed T = 8.060, p = 0.000, and the effect of attitude on physical activity showed T = 7.825, p = 0.000. These findings demonstrate that better knowledge and positive attitudes significantly enhance the likelihood of engaging in physical activity among DM patients, emphasizing the vital role of behavioral factors in diabetes self-management.

Keywords:     Diabetes Mellitus, Knowledge and Attitudes, Physical Activity, Diabetes Mellitus Management.