Authors :
Simon Himalowa; Margaret M. Mweshi; Martha Banda; Mickey Banda; Anna C. Zulu; Yvonne Colgrove; Richard Kunda; Simon Himalowa
Volume/Issue :
Volume 7 - 2022, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3IIfn9N
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3zhOV4c
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6944932
Abstract :
The prevalence and socioeconomic burden
of diabetes mellitus and associated co-morbidities are
rising worldwide among children thereby raising a public
health concern. Zambia is not exempted as evidenced by
factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle amongst
others.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among children in
Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods: A 10-year retrospective cross-sectional design
utilising quantitative methods involving a review of
patient case files of children aged 18 years and below
diagnosed with diabetes mellitus between January 2009
and December 2019 at the University Teaching Hospital
(UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia was done.
Results: The total number of children that attended the
University Teaching Children’s Hospital during the study
period was 150, 563 and of those, 745 were diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus. This gave a case prevalence rate of
4.9/1000. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was the most
prevalent (54%), followed by one which could not be
specified and simply diagnosed as DM (41%) and the least
was type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM (5%). The mean age
of the children at diagnosis was 11.3 (SD ± 4.03) with
94.7% of the children being ≥ 5 years old. More females
in this study had DM 53 (62.1%) than their male
counterparts 36 (37.9%). The mean weight of the children
was 35.6 kilograms (SD ±1.98), while the mean height and
BMI was 1.46 meters (SD ± 0.06) and 20.9 kg/m2 (SD ±
1.93) respectfully. The mean for glycosylated
haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.48% (SD ± 1.53) while that
of random blood sugar (RBS) was 19.3 mmol/L (SD ±
0.85). The most common comorbidity was vision problems
(28.6%) with polyuria (25%) being the most frequent
clinical feature. Children with DM were mainly managed
with insulin (100%) and some coupled with diet (63.2%)
and exercise (3.2%).
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of DM among children
and adolescents was relatively high. Nationwide
awareness campaigns and prevention programmes about
diabetes in childhood should be instituted and existing
ones strengthened through concerted effort from the
relevant stakeholders. A multidisciplinary approach
through the involvement of Physiotherapists and
nutritionists among other health professionals must be
encouraged to stem this looming epidemic.
Keywords :
Children, Prevalence, Prevention, Diabetes Mellitus, Lusaka, Zambia.
The prevalence and socioeconomic burden
of diabetes mellitus and associated co-morbidities are
rising worldwide among children thereby raising a public
health concern. Zambia is not exempted as evidenced by
factors such as obesity and sedentary lifestyle amongst
others.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the
prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among children in
Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods: A 10-year retrospective cross-sectional design
utilising quantitative methods involving a review of
patient case files of children aged 18 years and below
diagnosed with diabetes mellitus between January 2009
and December 2019 at the University Teaching Hospital
(UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia was done.
Results: The total number of children that attended the
University Teaching Children’s Hospital during the study
period was 150, 563 and of those, 745 were diagnosed with
diabetes mellitus. This gave a case prevalence rate of
4.9/1000. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was the most
prevalent (54%), followed by one which could not be
specified and simply diagnosed as DM (41%) and the least
was type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DM (5%). The mean age
of the children at diagnosis was 11.3 (SD ± 4.03) with
94.7% of the children being ≥ 5 years old. More females
in this study had DM 53 (62.1%) than their male
counterparts 36 (37.9%). The mean weight of the children
was 35.6 kilograms (SD ±1.98), while the mean height and
BMI was 1.46 meters (SD ± 0.06) and 20.9 kg/m2 (SD ±
1.93) respectfully. The mean for glycosylated
haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.48% (SD ± 1.53) while that
of random blood sugar (RBS) was 19.3 mmol/L (SD ±
0.85). The most common comorbidity was vision problems
(28.6%) with polyuria (25%) being the most frequent
clinical feature. Children with DM were mainly managed
with insulin (100%) and some coupled with diet (63.2%)
and exercise (3.2%).
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of DM among children
and adolescents was relatively high. Nationwide
awareness campaigns and prevention programmes about
diabetes in childhood should be instituted and existing
ones strengthened through concerted effort from the
relevant stakeholders. A multidisciplinary approach
through the involvement of Physiotherapists and
nutritionists among other health professionals must be
encouraged to stem this looming epidemic.
Keywords :
Children, Prevalence, Prevention, Diabetes Mellitus, Lusaka, Zambia.
