School-based Study of the Prevalence and Associated Factors of Prediabetes Among Adolescents in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Prediabetes and diabetes are important metabolic public health problems, especially among adolescents. However, they  are being given little or no attention, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Prediabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes  mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of prediabetes and its associated factors among adolescents in Kano, northwest, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 650 secondary school students aged 10-19 years in Tarauni LGA of Kano state. A self- administered questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic data and family history of diabetes of the participants. Each  participant had his/her FBS and OGTT measured. Prediabetes was defined using the ISPAD criteria (FBS of 5.6-6.9mmol/L and 2HPP  glucose level of 7.8- 11.0mm). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were determined  for the FBG test against the OGTT test. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done to ascertain the associated factors of  prediabetes.

Results: There were 372 females and 278 males. The age range was 10-19 years with a mean 14.9±1.8 years. The prevalence  of prediabetes using FBG was 5.5% while using OGTT was 8.9%, while 0.6% of students had combined IFG/IGT. FBG had a sensitivity of  7%, specificity of 95%, PPV of 11% and a NPV of 91%. Male gender (AOR=2.56, C.I= 1.25 – 5.23) and socioeconomic class (AOR= 3.36, C.I =  1.32 – 8.54) were found to be associated with IFG while positive family history of diabetes (AOR= 0.39, C.I = 0.18 – 0.84) was associated  with IGT.

Conclusion: Prediabetes is common among the study population and the sex-specific prevalence rate was higher among males.  Higher socioeconomic class and a positive family history of diabetes were significant associations.