Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease of metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemic condition resulting from defective in Insulin secretion ,Insulin action or both. Type 2 DM results from insulin resistance, combined with relative or absolutely insulin / deficiency. In type 2 DM due to insulin resistance in glucose the body tissues do not respond to the action of insulin. When insulin is not properly used, the entry of glucose into the cell is impeded, resulting in hyperglycemia. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Adolescents and young adults is dramatically increasing. Similar to older onset type 2 Diabetes , the major predisposing risk factors are obesity ,family history ,and sedentary life style .onset of Diabetes at a younger age ( up to age 40 years) is associated with longer disease exposure and increased risk for chronic complications. Young onset type 2 diabetes also affects more individuals of working age, accenting the adverse societal effects of the disease. Objectives: To assess the knowledge of late adolescents regarding primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a selected students. To associate the level of knowledge with their selected socio- demographic variables on primary prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus among Late Adolescents. Methodology: Non -experimental approach was adopted to achieve the objectives of the study, which is felt to be most appropriate in the field of education for its practicability in real life situation. It has the advantage of practicability, feasibility and to a certain extent for generalization. Research design was Descriptive research design. The study was conducted at S.V. nagar urban tirupathi .Population includes Late adolescents studying graduation at selected urban area community Tirupathi. Sample size consists of 100 Late adolescents under inclusion criteria. convenient sampling technique was adopted based on inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 100 samples majority (61%) were having moderate knowledge, 12 per cent were having inadequate knowledge and 27 per cent were having adequate knowledge on primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is significant association between level of knowledge of Late adolescents with their age, gender, residence, educational status of mother, occupational status of mother, occupational status of father, income of family, year of degree significant at <0.05 level where as remaining demographic variables (religion, educational status of father, Type of family, previous exposure to educational program me, source of information) are not showing any significant. So null hypothesis rejected. The mean knowledge score was 1.85 and the standard deviation was 0.609.Based on the findings, it is found that most of the Late adolescents had moderate knowledge on primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: Association of knowledge of Late adolescents with their age, gender, residence, educational status of mother, occupational status of mother, occupational status of father, income of family, year of degree significant at <0.05 level where as remaining demographic variables (religion, educational status of father, Type of family, previous exposure to educational program , source of information) are not showing any significant. So null hypothesis rejected. The mean knowledge score was 1.85 and the standard deviation was 0.609 on significant at 0.05 level. These findings suggested structured teaching Program will improve the knowledge regarding primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings suggested extensive health educational program was needed to being awareness among late adolescents. So as community health nurse need to encourage public health education programme on primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the knowledge and to bring out health community.
