A comparative analysis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk among adolescents aged 12 to 18 in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, with regard to sex, school quantiles, and perceived stress

Abstract

Abstract Background Recent data indicated an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to developing NCDs due to various risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, blood glucose levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), poverty, and physical inactivity. Thus, it is crucial not only to identify risks for NCDs, but also to propose effective and sustainable intervention measures, necessitating an understanding of specific demographic and geographic risk factors. However, the existing literature on NCDs risk factors among adolescents remain limited in South Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to compare adolescents aged 12 to 18 years who are at risk for NCDs, with those who are not at risk, considering sex, school quintiles, and perceived stress. Methods The study involved 266 adolescents (aged 12–18) selected through stratified random sampling from seven schools in two Eastern Cape districts. It assessed anthropometric and physiological measurements, along with perceived stress. Descriptive statistics summarized data, independent samples t-tests compared groups, and Chi-square analyses explored associations. Logistic regression predicted relationships between physiological factors, sex, quintiles, and perceived stress levels. Results The majority of physical and physiological assessments fell within normal ranges, except for females' BMI (24.52 ± 6.11), classifying them as overweight. Approximately 74% of female adolescents exhibited one or more NCD risk factors, with 61.8% of at-risk adolescents originating from disadvantaged schools (lower quintile schools). Perceived stress did not differ significantly between adolescents at risk and those not at risk, however, females at risk for NCDs had significantly higher perceived stress than their male counterparts. Physiological NCD risks, were found to be more prevalent among females attending lower quantiles schools, making them 4 times more likely to develop NCDs. Conclusion The findings emphasized the heightened risk of NCD development among females. Female adolescents also displayed elevated levels of perceived stress, with a noteworthy observation that adolescents from urban schools exhibited high levels of perceived stress. Recommendations to address these findings, include specific strategies that focus on reducing risk factors for this specific population.