COMMUNITY SURVEY AND FACTORS INFLUENCING CAREGIVERS' KNOWLEDGE OF DIABETES AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Diabetes epidemic has been established and projected to greatly increase in few years to come with developing countries expected to bear the largest increase. This escalating prevalence, has not excluded children and adolescents, however, in Nigeria this age group may not be getting necessary attention as diabetes among children and adolescents is thought to be rare. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors affecting caregivers' perception of diabetes among children and adolescents in Ibadan North Local Government. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Eight hundred children and adolescents (0- 19 years) and 618 caregivers ·were selected through a four-stage sampling technique from the community. An interviewer's administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurement, dietary intake, physical activity levels from the child/adolescent respondents and information on knowledge and perception from caregiver respondents. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Independent T test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data at 5% level of significance. Mean ages of child/adolescent and caregiver respondents are 8.7 ± 5.2 years and 35.98 ± 9.87 years respectively. The prevalence of diabetes and Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) were 0.5% and 0.9% respectively. Proportions of IFG and diabetes were highest among females (1.1 % and 0. 7% respectively) compared to males (0.6% and 0.3% respectively). There was higher proportions of overweight/obese in males (27 .3%) compared to females (25.4%). Children/ adolescents who were overweight/obese, had the highest proportion of IFG and diabetes (2.4% and 1.2% respectively). There was a significant reduction in the mean Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels, of those who took fruits daily (p = 0.00) and weekly (p = 0.00) compared to those who never/occasionally took fruits. Children/adolescents who were sufficiently active had a significantly lower mean FBG (75.59 ± 13.25mg/dl) than those who were insufficiently active (79.97 ± 15.53mg/dl) (p=0.00; 95% CI =1.96- 6.81). There was weak correlation (r = 0.175) between the Godin weekly leisure activity score for health benefit and FBG values however it is significant (p = 0.001). Males significantly engaged more in physical activity (50.14 ± 24.24 units) than females (36.97 ± 22.63 units) (p= 0.00). Majority (81.1%) of the caregiver participants have heard about diabetes and the media (radio, TV, newspapers) is the major (55.4%) source of information about diabetes. The caregiver respondents had poor knowledge of both risk factors and symptoms (66.7% and 55.9% respectively), nevertheless, there was a significant association between level of education and knowledge of risk factor (p= 0.00) and symptoms (p= 0.00). Caregivers' level of education was a significant predictor knowledge of diabete risk factors and symptoms. The prevalence of diabetes and IFG among children and adolescents in Ibadan North LGA is relatively low. The caregivers' knowledge is not sufficient to prompt them to develop preventive and health-seeking behaviours and practices. There is a need for national and state-wide prevalence of diabetes among children and adolescents.