P-476: Factors associated with glycemic control among youth living with type 1 diabetes in Tanzania: a cross sectional study

Introduction

The incidence of T1D keeps raising with approximately 9.2 million people living with this chronic condition globally. Despite improved access to care, a substantial proportion of youth in LMIC such as Tanzania fail to meet the recommended targets for glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). In this study we analyzed data from two T1D clinics in Tanzania to determine the level of glycemic control among youth living with T1D and the associated factors.

Objectives

To aim of this analysis was to determine the level and factors associated with glycemic control among youth living with T1D.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study and data was analysed using STATA software. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize participants’ characteristics. Glycaemic control was categorized as good (HbA1c < 7%) and poor (HbA1c ≥ 7%). Bivariate and Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with glycaemic control, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals were reported. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

A total of 274 youth living with T1D were included in the analysis with equal male and female representation and a mean age of 19.43 ± 5.77 years.

Overall, glycaemic control was poor with only 9.1% of participants having an HbA1c of <7%. Older age and higher BMI were significantly associated with glycaemic control while sex, residence, SES, having a history of DKA and duration of diabetes did not show any significant association with glycaemic control. While all predictors jointly explained variations in Glycemic control, when adjusted for confounders none, independently, had statistically significant association with glycaemic control at 5% significant level.

Conclusions

Majority of youth with T1D in the study context are still struggling to achieve blood glucose control. Blood glucose control is affected by different factors and thus, patient-centered and improving quality of care are paramount in achieving target control among youth.