Assessment of Cardio-metabolic Risk Factors of Pre-diabetes/Diabetes among University Students: A Cross Sectional-study at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Bright Oppong Afranie *
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Sampson Donkor
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Simon Koffie
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Selorm Philip Segbefia
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Joseph Badu Gyapong
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Beatrice Amoah
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Kwabena Fofie Nimoh
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Joseph Entwi Sampson
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases globally and its complications include retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Early detection of the risk factors and management of pre-diabetes can however reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related complications.
Objective: This study was undertaken to assess cardio-metabolic risk factors for diabetes among undergraduate students at KNUST.
Method: The study was carried out at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology at Kumasi, from January 2017 to March 2017. Questionnaires were administered to 500 participants (45% males and 55% females) to obtain demographic and anthropometric data, information on physical activity, and knowledge on diabetes. About 5 ml of venous blood was taken from participants after an overnight fast to determine fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid profile.
Results: The mean age of participants were 21±2.40 years and 19.24±2.42 years for male and female respectively. Prevalence rate of pre-diabetes was 5% in this study. Mean values of systolic pressure (p<0.001) and blood glucose level (p=0.042) were significantly higher in men than the females. There was a significant association between the total cholesterol and the fasting blood sugar levels among participants (p=0.045). LDL-cholesterols concentrations were also significantly associated with blood sugar levels among participants (p<0.001). Risk factors such physical exercise (p<0.001) and family history (p<0.001) if diabetes were significantly associated with fasting blood glucose levels of participants. Obesity was no associated with serum glucose levels among participants in this study (p=0.533). HDL-cholesterol was inversely correlated with Fasting blood sugar even though it was no significant (r=-0.240, p=0.430).
Conclusion: The prevalence rate of pre-diabetes was 5% in this study. Education about the disease as well as appropriate modification of lifestyle can help reduce the incidence of diabetes and its associated risk factors.
Keywords: Diabetes, pre-diabetes, risk factors, lipid profile, blood glucose