"Aware or not": Determining the Professional Awareness Rates of Nutrition and Dietetics Students and Identifying the Affecting Factors

Abstract

The aim of the study is to determine the rates of professional awareness among nutrition and dietetics students and identify the factors that affect it. This cross-sectional study was conducted with A total of 226 dietetics students at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx University. The main outcome measure of the study is to determine the professional awareness and affecting the factors. Study data were evaluated with descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis. Most students choose careers because of family support and the desire for health promotion. Awareness rates about professional regulations were evident (min 71.7%). Significant factors of awareness were individual (including professional love, interests, desires), practices, and trends or social effects. The identification of factors of awareness students experiencing professional challenges and recognize that there are common factors among dietetics students may increase awareness among educators, guide the development of course policies, and highlight the importance of mitigating major sources of awareness for students.