Poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Harar, eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Poor glycemic control increases the risk of acute metabolic derangements and long-term consequences, which are the main causes of morbidity and mortality. Maintaining adequate glycemic control is challenging for children with diabetes, particularly in resource-limited settings. There is a paucity of data on the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its predisposing factors in Ethiopian particularly in this study setting. Hence, we aimed to assess the magnitude of poor glycemic control and its associated factors among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetic mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals in Harar, eastern Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Jugol and Hiwot Fana Compressive Specialized University Hospitals. Participants were included consecutively in the follow-up clinic from November 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023. Data were collected through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and a review of medical records. A binary logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors associated with poor glycemic control. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Result A total of 231 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus were included. The magnitude of poor glycemic control was 166 (71.9%) with 95% CI 66.0–77.7%). In multivariable analysis, the age of the child (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05–0.83), education of the caregiver (aOR = 4.13;95% CI: 1.82–9.46), meal frequency less than three (aOR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.25–8.62), and consumption of forbidden foods (aOR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.21–8.29) were factors significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Conclusion Two-thirds of participants had poor glycemic control. There was a statistically significant association between the age of the child, education of the caregiver, meal frequency, and forbidden foods with poor glycemic control. To improve glycemic control, diabetes education on meal use and selection should be conducted during follow-up along with parent education.

Factors associated with glycemic control in patients with T2DM: evidence from a cross-sectional study in China

“…According to Al-Qerem et al [ 3 ], a group of 287 participants from Amman, reported that the prevalence of inadequate glycemic control was 58%. In a cross-sectional study by Betelhem Demeke Habteyohans et al [ 4 ], glycemic control was poor in two-thirds of the subjects. Plenty of studies have shown that various factors are closely associated with inadequate glycemic management.…”

Effect of Glycemic Control on Platelet Indices in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…[ 3 ] The most important and controllable criterion in reducing the complications of diabetes is glycemic control. [ 4 ] The International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines suggested a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of <7% in patients with T1DM to prevent long-term complications. [ 5 ] Complications of T1DM in children and adolescents depend on the duration of illness, the level of glycemic control.…”