Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
Research Paper
PREVALENCE OF DIABETES, ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS
AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
1
Tamuno-Opubo Abiye*, 2Stanley Rosemary Oluchi, 3Amadi-Ikpa Henry Ajulor 4Enebeli K.
Sarah 2Dimkpa Barinem Mary 5Tamuno-Opubo Simple
1
Department of Human physiology, Rivers state, Nigeria.
2
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria
3
Department of Human Anatomy, Rivers state University, Rivers state, Nigeria.
4
Department of Pharmacology, Rivers state, University, Rivers state, Nigeria.
5
Platinum Premier Medical Center, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria.
*corresponding author: [email protected]
Received 23 Feb, 2023; Revised 05 Mar., 2023; Accepted 23 Mar., 2023
ABSTRACT
An assessment of the prevalence of diabetes, associated symptoms and risk factors was
carried out among 181 university students in Rivers state, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire
was used to obtain information on diagnosed diabetes, experienced symptoms and risk factors
for diabetes among the students and analysed. The findings of the study showed that 15.5%
had a family history of diabetes, 51.9% had low/moderate physical activity and 42.5% were
either overweight or obese. There was a 5.0% (9/181) prevalence of diagnosed diabetes
among the study participants. The increased urge to drink water, increased urge to eat,
frequent urination and weight loss were the most common symptoms occurring at 43.9%,
20.5%, 16.5% and 12.7% respectively. Male students were 1.2 (0.3 – 4.1) times more likely
to be diabetic. It was observed that persons that were at least 20 years old were 1.8 (0.5 – 6.0)
more likely to have diabetes. Persons with a family history of diabetes were 13.6 times (3.5 –
51.2) more likely to be diabetic. Persons with low/moderate physical activity were 1.9 times
(0.5 – 7.1) more likely to be diabetic. Persons that were overweight/obese were 2.8 times (0.7
– 10.6) more likely to be diabetic. However, all the factors were not found to be statistically
associated with diabetes, except for the family history of diabetes (chi-square = 18.9, p =
0.0001). Although low/moderate physical activity and being overweight/obese were not
statistically associated with diabetes in this study, it is important to note that they are risk
factors for the development of the condition. Therefore, efforts should be made to promote
healthy lifestyles and regular screening for individuals with a family history of diabetes to
prevent or manage the disease.
Keywords: Diabetes, symptoms, risk factors, students, prevalence
1. INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an aetiologically multifactorial metabolic disorder, characterised
by chronic hyperglycaemia[1]. It results in aberrations in carbohydrate, fat and protein
metabolism, which arise due to defects in insulin secretion, and/or action[2, 3]. Diabetes is a
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
chronic disease that affects the way your body turns food into energy. It is caused by the
body's inability to produce or properly use the hormone insulin[4, 5]. Diabetes can have
serious health complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and
amputation. The public health implications of diabetes among young people are significant.
Young people with diabetes are at risk for developing these complications at a younger age
than adults with diabetes[6–8]. They are also at risk for developing other health problems,
such as depression and anxiety. The cost of treating diabetes is also a public health concern.
Globally, the cost of treating diabetes is estimated to exceed $245 billion annually. This
includes the cost of medical care, medications, and lost productivity[4, 9].
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will experience significant increases in the
prevalence of the disease over the next decade[10, 11]. The increasing burden of DM in
LMICs is thought to be related to the changes in physical activity (due to the availability of
energy-sparing devices), dietary patterns (which are becoming westernised), and an
improvement in life expectancy[4, 5, 7]. It is however worrisome that cases of undiagnosed
diabetes are quite rampant in LMICs, reaching 50% of all cases. Owing to the fact that one
important factor (in diabetes management) that allows for effective planning and distribution
of scarce resources is the quantification of the number of people with diabetes[5, 6, 12]. This
study investigated the prevalence of diabetes, associated symptoms and risk factors among
young adult students in a southern Nigerian University.
2. METHODS
2.1 Study Population
The study population consisted of students attending the Rivers state University, in Rivers
state, Nigeria. Sample size calculations based on the sample size for proportion formular: n =
z2pq/e2, where z = 1.96, the standard derivate at a 95% confidence interval, p= 13.6%
prevalence in previous study[13], q = 1 – p and e=error rate of 5%. A total of 181 students
were selected for the study based on a systematic random sampling technique.
2.2 Data Collection
An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was administered to the participants
and used to obtain demographic information, data on risk factors and related clinical
information on the diagnoses of diabetes.
2.3 Data Analysis
The data was analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Science Software (SPSS) v25 at
a 95% confidence interval. The summary of the information collected was presented in
frequencies and percentages. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of risk
factors and diabetes. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the
analyses.
2.4 Ethical Consideration
Ethical approval to carry out the current study was obtained from the research and ethics
committee of the Rivers state university. A willing written informed consent was obtained
from each participant prior to their inclusion into the study and all personal identifying
information were kept confidential.
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
3. RESULTS
Table 1 shows the demographic characteristics of the study participants. The table showed
that 50.28% (91/181) were male and 49.72% (90/181) were female. The age distribution
showed that 58.56% (n=106) were between 15 to 20 years old, 35.91% (n=65) were between
21 – 25 years, 3.87% (n=7) were between 26 to 30 years and 1.66% (n=3) were more than 30
years old.
Table 1: Demographic distribution of Participants
Frequency
Variable (n=181) Percent (%)
Gender
Male 91 50.28
Female 90 49.72
Age group
15-20 years 106 58.56
21-25 years 65 35.91
26-30 years 7 3.87
>30 years 3 1.66
Table 2 showed that 15.5% had a family history of diabetes, 51.9% had low/moderate
physical activity and 42.5% were either overweight or obese.
Table 2: Distribution of Risk factors for Diabetes in study population
Frequency Percent
Variable (n=181) (%)
Family history of DM
Yes 28 15.5
No 153 84.5
Physical Activity
Low/Moderate 94 51.9
High 87 48.1
Body Mass Index
Overweight/Obese 77 42.5
Normal 104 57.5
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
Figure 1 shows a 5.0% (9/181) prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among the study
participants.
9, 5.0%
Diabetes
No Diabetes
172, 95.0%
Figure 1: Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes
Figure 2 shows the distribution of symptoms among the diabetics. The findings showed that
increased urge to drink water, increased urge to eat, frequent urination and weight loss were
the most common symptoms occurring at 43.9%, 20.5%, 16.5% and 12.7% respectively.
50.0%
43.9%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
Distribution (%)
30.0%
25.0%
20.5%
20.0% 15.6%
15.0% 12.7%
10.0% 7.3% 6.0%
4.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Increased Increased Frequent Weight Loss Sensation In Poor Wound Frequent
Urge To Urge To Eat urination The Hand Healing boils
Drink Water And Leg
Reported symptoms
Figure 2: Distribution of symptoms among diabetics
Table 3 shows the association diabetes with demographic factors and other risk factors. The
table showed that male students were 1.2 (0.3 – 4.1) times more likely to be diabetic. It was
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
observed that persons that were at least 20 years old were 1.8 (0.5 – 6.0) more likely to have
diabetes. Persons with a family history of diabetes were 13.6 times (3.5 – 51.2) more likely to
be diabetic. Persons with low/moderate physical activity were 1.9 times (0.5 – 7.1) more
likely to be diabetic. Persons that were overweight/obese were 2.8 times (0.7 – 10.6) more
likely to be diabetic. However, all the factors were not found to be statistically associated
with diabetes, except for the family history of diabetes (chi-square = 18.9, p = 0.0001).
Table 3: Distribution of demographic factors and other risk factors with diagnosed diabetes
Diabetic Not Diabetic Total Chi-square
Variable n (%) n (%) n (%) (p-value) O.R (95% C.I)
Gender
Male 5(5.5) 86(94.5) 91(100.0) 0.10 (0.745) 1.2 (0.3 - 4.1)
Female 4(4.4) 86(95.6) 90(100.0)
Age group (years)
>20 years 5(6.7) 70(93.3) 75(100.0) 0.77 (0.3777) 1.8 (0.5 - 6.0)
≤20 years 4(3.8) 102(96.2) 106(100.0)
Family history of DM
Yes 6(21.4) 22(78.6) 28(100.0) 18.98(0.0001)* 13.6 (3.5 - 51.2)
No 3(2.0) 150(98.0) 153(100.0)
Physical Activity
Low/Moderate 6(6.4) 88(93.6) 94(100.0) 0.82 (0.907) 1.9 (0.5 - 7.1)
High 3(3.4) 84(96.6) 87(100.0)
Body Mass Index
Overweight/Obese 6(7.8) 71(92.2) 77(100.0) 2.25 (0.133) 2.8 (0.7 - 10.6)
Normal 3(2.9) 101(97.1) 104(100.0)
*statistically significant (p<0.05), OR: Odds Ratio
4. DISCUSSION
The current study showed a 5% prevalence of diabetes among the participants. To put this
finding in perspective. According to a similar study published in, the global prevalence of
diabetes among adults aged 20-40 years was 8.8%[11]. Another study published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association in 2016 found that the prevalence of diabetes
among adults in the United States was 12.2%[14]. In terms of age-specific prevalence rates, a
study published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders found that the prevalence
of diabetes among individuals aged 20-29 years in Saudi Arabia was 2.2%[7].
The current study also showed that 15.5% had a family history of diabetes, 51.9% had
low/moderate physical activity and 42.5% were either overweight or obese suggests that there
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
are several potential risk factors for diabetes in the population being studied as reported in
similar studies[9, 12, 15]. Having a family history of diabetes is a well-known risk factor for
developing the disease, as there may be a genetic predisposition to impaired glucose
metabolism[4, 8, 16]. The prevalence of family history of diabetes in this study is similar to
rates reported in other studies, which have found that approximately 10-15% of individuals
with diabetes have a first-degree relative with the disease[13, 14, 17]. The finding of the
current study showing that over half of the population had low/moderate physical activity
levels is concerning, as lack of exercise is a known risk factor for diabetes. Regular physical
activity has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, which can
help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes[6, 9, 16, 18]. This finding is consistent with
other studies that have shown low levels of physical activity to be a common risk factor for
diabetes. The prevalence of overweight or obesity in the population is also a concerning
finding, as excess body weight is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. The
prevalence of overweight/obesity in this study is slightly lower than rates reported in other
studies, which have found that up to 60-70% of individuals with diabetes are overweight or
obese[5, 8, 17].
The findings of the current study suggest that male students, individuals with a family history
of diabetes, and those who were at least 20 years old had a higher likelihood of having
diabetes. Additionally, those with low/moderate physical activity levels and who were
overweight/obese also had a higher likelihood of diabetes, although these associations were
not statistically significant[6, 12, 19]. It is important to note that the study did not find
statistically significant associations between all of the risk factors and diabetes, except for
family history. This means that the observed associations may have occurred by chance, and
further research may be needed to confirm these findings. Similar studies have also identified
male gender, age, family history, physical inactivity, and obesity as risk factors for diabetes.
For example, a study conducted in India found that male gender, age, family history, physical
inactivity, and obesity were all significant risk factors for diabetes[4, 7, 8]. Similarly, a study
in China found that male gender, family history, physical inactivity, and obesity were all
associated with an increased risk of diabetes[10]. Overall, the findings of the present study
are consistent with previous research and highlight the importance of addressing modifiable
risk factors, such as physical activity and weight management, in the prevention and
management of diabetes.
5. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the study found that there was a 5.0% prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among
the study participants, with male students and those with a family history of diabetes being
more likely to have the condition. Additionally, the most common symptoms were increased
thirst, increased appetite, frequent urination, and weight loss. Although low/moderate
physical activity and being overweight/obese were not statistically associated with diabetes in
this study, it is important to note that they are risk factors for the development of the
condition. Therefore, efforts should be made to promote healthy lifestyles and regular
screening for individuals with a family history of diabetes to prevent or manage the disease.
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Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research
ISSN (o): 2394 - 076X ISSN (p): 2394 – 0791
Volume 10~ Issue 3 (2023) pp: 21 - 28
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