KNOWLEDGE OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

S.J. Kiplagat¹, T. Steyl¹, L.-J. Wachira², J.S. Phillips¹

¹University of the Western Cape, Physiotherapy, Bellville, South Africa, ²Kenyatta University, Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors have an impact on the future life and health of adolescents. Major NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases which constitute 80% of all premature NCD deaths. Exposure to risk factors of NCDs begins early, especially during adolescence while morbidity and mortality occurs mainly in adulthood. Among the main contributing risk factors are physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco use.

Purpose: To assess the level of knowledge of major NCDs (cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes) and their risk factors among adolescents in an urban setting in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya.

Methods: A quantitative approach using a descriptive cross-sectional design was employed in the study. Ten (10) mixed secondary schools were selected using stratified proportional sampling. Within each Grade 9 – 12 class, simple random sampling was used to select the participants. Data was collected using an adapted valid and reliable knowledge assessment questionnaire relating to chronic diseases of lifestyle (10 questions on diabetes, 10 questions on hypertension and five questions on cancer). The scores for knowledge varied from 0-25 and was classified into three levels; High level as 80-100% (20-25); Moderate level as 60-79% (15-19); Low level as 59% and below (0-14 scores). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics were applied to summarise socio-demographic information. Inferential statistics were employed to determine any association between variables. Significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: A total of 1 281 students, 577 (45%) male and 704 (55%) females with a mean age of 16.61 (SD±1.509) years participated in the study. Almost two thirds of the participants (n = 796, 62.1%) had low levels of knowledge about NCD risk factors, with 2.9% having high levels of knowledge. A significant association was found between level of knowledge and year of study (p=0.000) while variables such as age, gender and socio-economic status were not significant (p=0.345; p=0.336; p=0.586).Very few students recognized the role of family history and genetic predisposition as potential risk factors of hypertension (n = 213, 18%) and diabetes (n = 296, 24.7%) as well as the normal blood pressure (n = 413, 35.9%) and blood glucose levels (n = 233, 20.5%). Although most of the students identified alcohol and smoking as risk factors for cancer, half of the students (n = 553, 51.6%) did not have the knowledge that regular physical activity reduces the risk of getting cancer.

Conclusions: Many of the adolescents in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya had low level of knowledge regarding NCDs and their risk factors. The findings of this study highlight the need for a school-based intervention programme to raise awareness of NCD risk factors among adolescents.

Implications: It is important for adolescents to understand NCDs and their risk factors in order to prevent them from establishing unhealthy behaviours early in life. There is a need to provide health education on NCDs and their risk factors in secondary schools.

Funding acknowledgements: National Research Foundation (South Africa) for the grant to support principal author’s PhD studies.

Keywords:
NCDs
risk factors
adolescents

Topics:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) & risk factors
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Committee: Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BMREC)

Ethics number: (BM18/1/1)