Browsing by Author "Ngemera, J."

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    Profile of fasting blood glucose among secondary school students in Dar Es Salaam Region: A cross- sectional study
    (IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, 2024-05-04) Lwabukuna, Warles C.; Ngemera, J.
    Introduction: Of recent eras, there has been a dramatic increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus among children and adolescents. Female gender, childhood hypertension, overweight and obesity have been reported as the main risk factors for pre-diabetes and diabetes among children and adolescents. Screening children and adolescents for type 2 diabetes mellitus helps earlier detection and interventions for the disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the profile of fasting blood glucose among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among secondary schools in Dar es Salaam. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain demographic information. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard methods. Fasting blood samples were collected for blood glucose. The American Diabetic Association and International Diabetic Federation criteria were utilized. Results: A total of 217 participants were enrolled; 32% (69) were males and 68% (148) were females, 75% (162) were in 14-17years age group. Students from private and public schools were 52% (113) and 48% (104) respectively. Fasting blood glucose levels were distributed as follows; normal level 87 %( 189), impaired/pre- diabetes 11.5 %( 25) and diabetes 1.4% (3). Impaired fasting blood glucose was significantly higher among students aged 18-19; 16.4% (9) with p-value 0.044. Similarly, diabetes was significantly higher among students within age group of 18-19 years 3.6% (2) than 14-17 age group counterparts. Prevalence of central obesity was 22% (48) which was higher among pre-diabetes 46% (22) and diabetes 6.1%(3) groups, and the difference was statistically significant (p value <0.001). Conclusion: Normal fasting blood glucose among secondary school students in Dar es Salaam is 6.7 fold of the abnormal with pre-diabetes being the commonest abnormality which is significantly prevalent among private schools and elder students with central obesity.