Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus in Uganda: A population-based national survey

Objective:We analysed fasting blood glucose (FBG) and other data collected as part of a population-based nationwide non-communicable disease risk factor survey, to estimate the prevalence of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and diabetes mellitus and to identify associated factors in Uganda.Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2014. Participants were adults aged 18-69 years. A multi-stage stratified sample design was used to produce a national representative sample. Fasting capillary glucose was measured to estimate glycaemia. Data were managed with WHO e-STEPs software and Epi Info. Stata(®) survey procedures were used to account for the sampling design, and sampling weights were used to account for differential probability of selection between strata.Results: Of the 3689 participants, 1467 (39.8%) were males; and 2713 (73.5%) resided in the rural areas. The mean age was 35.1 years (standard deviation= 12.6) for males and 35.8 years (13.2) for females. The overall prevalence of IFG was 2.0% (95% confidence Interval (CI)= 1.5 - 2.5%), whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 1.4% (95% CI 0.9 - 1.9%). The prevalence of IFG was was 2.1% (95% CI 1.3 - 2.9%) among males and 1.9% (95% CI 1.3 - 2.6%) among females, whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 1.6% (95% CI 0.8 - 2.6%) and 1.1% (95% CI 0.6 - 1.7%) respectively. The prevalence of IFG was 2.6% (95% CI 1.4 - 3.8%) among urban and 1.9% (95% CI 1.3 - 2.4%) among rural residents, whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 2.7% (95% CI 1.4 - 4.1) and 1.0% (95% 0.5 - 1.6%) respectively. The majority of participants identified with hyperglycaemia (90.5% IFG and 48.9% diabetes) were not aware of their hyperglycaemic status. Factors associated with IFG were region of residence, body mass index and total cholesterol; factors associated with diabetes mellitus were age, sex, household floor finish, and abdominal obesity.Conclusion: The prevalence of IFG and of diabetes mellitus is low in the Ugandan population; providing an opportunity for the prevention of diabetes. The majority of persons with hyperglycaemia were not aware of their hyperglycaemic status, which implies a likelihood of presenting late with complications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.