Publications

Prediabetes marks blood glucose levels above normal yet below the diabetes threshold. Itsprevalence is escalating worldwide, with projections estimating over 470 million affectedindividuals by 2030. Notably, there is a dearth of studies offering insight into prediabetesprevalence among university students in Uganda. This research was designed to assessprediabetes prevalence and associated risk factors among apparently healthy KampalaInternational University Western Campus (KIU-WC) bachelor students. Employing aprospective cross-sectional study design, the investigation involved structured selfadministeredquestionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and blood biochemistry,targeting registered university students of all ages at KIU-WC. Sample size calculationswere based on a formula, with BMI for age and sex referenced against Agarwal charts.Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were classified per ADA criteria. A total of 121 students(61.2% male, 38.8% female) aged 15-35 participated. Results indicated a significantprediabetes prevalence of 19.8%. Notably, prediabetes rates varied among distinct agegroups, particularly higher among middle-aged or young adults (18-25 years). The studyunderscores lifestyle modifications as pivotal in preventing or delaying prediabetesprogression to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, it highlights the necessity forfurther comprehensive prospective studies with larger sample sizes and adequate fundingto precisely quantify prediabetes burden, its risk factors, complications, preventivemeasures, and validate the epidemiological findings observed in this investigation