ECE2023 Eposter Presentations Diabetes, Obesity, Metabolism and Nutrition (355 abstracts)
Increased Knowledge and Awareness about Endocrinology and Science-based Careers Amongst School Children through Public Engagement Event
Mirna Elghobashy 1 , Shams Ali Baig 1 , Fazna Rahman 1 , Syeda Sabbah Batool 1 , Mukunth Kowsik 1 , Josh Banerjee 1 , Kushi Kumar 1 , Mohammed Faraaz Saiyed 1 , Vardhan Venkatesh 1 , Pranav Viswanath Iyer 1 , SIMBA and CoMICs Team 2 & Punith Kempegowda 2,3
1University of Birmingham Medical School, United Kingdom; 2Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham Medical School, United Kingdom; 3University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Background: It is important to engage and encourage young adults from all economic backgrounds to pursue a career in science and medicine to create an equitable society. Several awareness campaigns are currently underway to improve the awareness and knowledge of various metabolic conditions to promote good lifestyle practices in adolescents. However, such opportunities do not seem to reach those from deprived areas. We conducted public engagement events on students’ attitudes towards science-related careers and knowledge and perceptions regarding diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), health technology, and obesity in deprived areas. In this study, we report the impact of such interventions.
Methods: A half-day public engagement event was held in two state secondary schools in deprived areas of Birmingham in July 2022. Students aged 14-16 years were invited to attend the sessions. The event included three pre-recorded lectures on obesity and diabetes, PCOS and health technology. Following the lecture, all participants worked in groups of 5-8 to make posters showcasing what they learned during the session. This was followed by a speed-dating session with professionals in various science fields so students can find out more about how to get into science-related careers. All participating students completed pre- and post-session surveys. Responses were quantitatively analysed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank. Thematic analysis was conducted on the posters to identify themes as understood by students.
Results: Students had an increased understanding of diabetes (+24.5%, P<0.001), obesity (+15.0%, P=0.007), PCOS (+65%, P<0.001) and emotional wellbeing (+16.2%, P=0.003), and a better understanding of a career as a scientist (+28.4%, P<0.001). Students also had an increased understanding of what a career as a doctor entailed and an increase in the proportion of students who said they would be interested in a career in health science; however, these were not statistically significant (+1.9%, P=0.904 and +4.9%, P=0.519 respectively). The majority of students found interacting with healthcare professionals informative, and 40% of students said they are likely to do further reading regarding healthcare careers. Within the PCOS and diabetes posters, the main themes identified included the pathophysiology, symptoms and management of each condition as well as the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The overarching themes of the health technology posters were of health technology at an individual level and within the healthcare system.
Conclusions: Public engagement activities can change attitudes towards science-related careers, enhance understanding of medical conditions and perceptions of these conditions in students.
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Endocrine Abstracts
ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)
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