1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic public health problem that affects 8.5% adult population worldwide. The number of adults with DM has risen sharply from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014worldwide, in Sub Saharan Africa is estimated to have 15.9 million adults living with DM and most of recent diabetes surveys conducted in Tanzania in Mwanza region >5% of people in 2012 have shown to have DM(1).

Until 10 years ago, DM accounted for less than 3% of all cases of new onset diabetes in adolescents, and at present it present 8 to 45% of new cases and is commonly diagnosed between ages of 15 and 18 years and in those with positive family history of DM(2).DM was still rare in youth, but recent reports indicate an increasing prevalence around the world possibly due to increasing prevalence of obesity in children and adolescent(3).

Longitudinal studies of DM among youth(15-24years of age ) suggest increased risk of morbidity and mortality for DM(4). Some of the risk factors include genetic inheritance, increase in sedentary life which is attributed by the change in lifestyle associated with increased physical inactivity, overweight, smoking, alcohol intake and aging(5).

Therefore, the onset of obesity and overweight during youth may persist to adulthood and cause greater health effects in the future(6).Thus there is a need of intervention for reducing diabetes risks and increase awareness of diabetes among the youth in Tanzania(7).

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public problem globally with an estimated prevalence of 9.3% in 2019 worldwide, 6% in 2017 in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and 7.8% in 2012 in Tanzania(7). Leading risk factors for the increase burden for diabetes mellitus are modifiable lifestyle factors. These include sedentary life styles leading to obesity which is associated with insulin resistance(8). Eating highly refined or processed foods which are characteristically low fiber foods. Eating such food leads to rapid exhaustion of insulin producing beta cells and insulin deficiency.

There is also a growing burden of type 2 diabetes among children and youths because of prevalent obesity(9). Several studies have consistently shown that awareness about risk factors of diabetes mellitus and interventions to reduce the risk of DM is inadequate among general population and young addults, For example a study conducted in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania by (John W. Stanifer, Charles R.Cleland, Gerald JamberiMakuka, Joseph R. Egger, VenanceMaro, Honest Maro 2014) reported that awareness about modifiable risk factors such as alcohol, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and their intervention, was very low among the adults, where the prevalence was 35.6%,and prevalence of individuals with diabetes who were receiving biomedical treatment and intervention was few about 33.3%.
It is predicted that awareness on DM will prompt people to seek health care timely and reduce possibilities of developing risk factors. Therefore, awareness at the level of public is crucial since it is a critical component of behavioral change and intervention(10).

Hence, Knowledge of these modifiable risk factors for diabetes and their intervention by the youths is important for prevention of diabetes in this population group(11). This is why this study is targeting the young adults in Ilemela to assess their knowledge on risk factors for diabetes and how to intervene.
To my knowledge no similar study has been done in Ilemela, and hence there is scant data on knowledge on risk factors for diabetes, intervention for reducing diabetes risk and awareness of diabetes among the youths in Mwanza. This study will fill this knowledge gap.

1.3 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Findings from this study will increase awareness of ilemela youth on risk factors for DM, intervention for reducing the risk of DM. this will help to reduce the youth’s vulnerability to DM.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the level of knowledge on risk factors forDM, intervention for reducing DM risk factors and awareness of DM among the youth in Ilemela district.?

1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

To determine knowledge on risk factors for diabetes and intervention for reducing diabetes risk factors among the youth in Ilemela.
1.6 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
a. To determine knowledge on risk factors for diabetes among the youths in Ilemela.
b. To assess knowledge on interventions for reducing the risk factors of diabetes among the youths in Ilemela.