THE PREVALENCE AND LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 16 YEARS IN LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading chronic diseases of childhood. Though numerous
studies have been documented worldwide showing an increase in the prevalence of diabetes
mellitus, few data exist in our environment to corroborate this observation.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in children aged
10 to 16 years living and schooling in Lagos State. The study also assessed the subjects’
awareness, knowledge and the risk factors for diabetes mellitus.
The study sample consists of 557 children aged 10 to 16 years attending six public secondary
schools randomly selected from Mushin and Yaba Local Council Development Areas of
Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey was conducted with a self administered pre-tested
questionnaire which collected information on biodata and assessed awareness and knowledge
of the 557 subjects on diabetes mellitus. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory
investigations – fasting blood glucose (FBG) and urine glucose estimations, were also carried
out.
The knowledge of diabetes mellitus among the subjects was assessed with 12 questions in the
questionnaire. Each of the questions was allotted 1 point such that a maximum of 12 points
could be obtained by each subject.
Their weights, heights and blood pressures were measured using standard methods. Body
mass index (BMI) was calculated and plotted on age and sex specific growth charts and the
BMI percentile determined for each subject.
The fasting blood glucose levels of the subjects were estimated and their urine tested for
glucosuria.

From the study, sixty four percent of the subjects had heard about diabetes mellitus prior to
their involvement in the study. Twenty one and half percent of the subjects scored above 75%
(≥10 points = good knowledge), 37.7% of the subjects scored between 50-75% (6-9 points =
fair knowledge) while 5.6% scored <50% (≤5 points = poor knowledge).
The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 0.2%. The study has shown that children
between the ages of 10 and 14 years are more likely to have abnormally high blood glucose
levels. It also showed that females are more likely to have abnormally high blood glucose
levels than males and, that underweight and overweight are risk factors for diabetes mellitus.
In this study physical activity, food, snacks and drinks taken were not associated with
abnormal blood glucose level.
In conclusion, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes in these subjects were
0.2% and 6.6% respectively. Subjects within the age range 10 to less than 15 years were
associated with higher than normal blood glucose levels more than those 15 years and above.

THE PREVALENCE AND LEVEL OF AWARENESS OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN CHILDREN AGED 10 TO 16 YEARS IN LAGOS STATE