Masters Disertation
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing rapidly in Tanzania;
triggered by changes in lifestyles, dietary patterns, and increasing early obesity. This
study reports the prevalence, awareness and risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus
and hypertension among adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from
January to March 2020 which involved 384 adolescent students aged 14-19 years.
Standard procedures were used to measure weight, height, body fat percentage, blood
pressure and blood glucose. Hyperglycemia was diagnosed using American Diabetes
Association criteria while hypertension was diagnosed using American Heart
Association Guidelines for childhood hypertension. Dietary assessment was done
using a validated dietary diversity questionnaire. Physical activities were assessed
using a self-administered 7-day recall physical activity questionnaire for adolescents.
Awareness on diabetes and hypertension was obtained through self-administered
questionnaire. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 21 was used to
analyze descriptive statistics and bivariate logistic regression at 5% level of
significance. About 50% of the respondents were aware of type 2 diabetes mellitus
and hypertension. Prevalence of pre-diabetes was higher in urban (7.3%) compared
to rural areas (3.1%). The risk factors for pre-diabetes were overweight and obesity
(AOR 2.05; 95%CI 2.17-6.86), and elevated body fat (AOR 1.95; 95% CI 1.23-
7.18). The prevalence of hypertension was much higher in urban (17.2%) compared
to rural areas (5.7%). The risk factors for hypertension observed were overweight
and obesity (AOR 6.45 95% CI 1.64-13.94), elevated body fat (AOR 3.91 95%CI
1.94-8.96), living in urban area (AOR 3.43 95% CI 1.67-7.04) and physical inactivity
(AOR 1.98 95% CI 1.65-5.49). High prevalence of pre-diabetes and hypertension
due to high rates of overweight and obesity in adolescents was alarming. Therefore;
nutrition and healthy lifestyle education has to be integrated in school programs to
reduce the risk of developing diabetes and hypertension in the future.
Professor Kaushik Ramaiya