Juvenile Diabetes: Awareness and Risk Factors among Adolescents of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Juvenile diabetes is a growing public health concern in Bangladesh, with the country's ethnic population being particularly vulnerable to developing the condition. However, little is known about the risk factors and awareness levels associated with juvenile diabetes among adolescents in this region. Objective: This study aimed to identify the proportion and associated risk factors of type 1 diabetes at 250 Bed General Hospital, Jamalpur, while also assessing their awareness regarding diabetes mellitus. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 adolescents aged 6-19 years in Dhaka city between October 2019 and March 2020. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20. Results: The findings revealed a high prevalence of overweight individuals (88.57%) and a predominance of sedentary lifestyles (46.43%) among the participants. Lifestyle risk factors (50.36%) and nutritional risk factors (35.71%) were identified as the most prevalent contributors to juvenile diabetes, followed by a family history of diabetes (15.36%). Alarmingly, 28.21% of the participants were unaware of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The study highlights the alarming prevalence of modifiable risk factors, such as unhealthy lifestyles and obesity, as well as the lack of awareness regarding diabetes mellitus among adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, including educational campaigns, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and early screening programs, to mitigate the growing burden of juvenile diabetes in this vulnerable population.