Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Prediabetes and Diabetes in Udo, Edo State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a chronic condition that can lead to serious illness and death if not detected early and managed effectively. Prediabetes is the crucial period to promote, prevent, or delay the development of Diabetes mellitus (DM). It describes a metabolic state that signals the potential progression to type 2 DM. Individuals with prediabetes have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with prediabetes and diabetes among residents of Udo, a rural community in Edo State, South-South Nigeria.

Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Adults aged 18 years and older living in the rural community who attended a free medical outreach program as part of the World Diabetes Day Celebration were screened for prediabetes and diabetes mellitus. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was measured with calibrated glucometers and classified as follows: normal (<or equal to 6mmol/L), prediabetes (6.1-6.9 mmol/L), and diabetes (≥7 mmol/L). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and binary logistic regression.

Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 48.8 ± 18.3 years. The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was 23.6% and 18.2%, respectively. Of the 78 diabetic patients, 75.6% (59) were undiagnosed, and 24.4% (19) were diagnosed diabetics. Hypertension was significantly associated with prediabetes. A positive family history of DM and increasing age were the main predictors of diabetes.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in the study population in a rural setting, reducing the rural-urban disparity in DM prevalence. There is a need for targeted routine screening for diabetes and hypertension, especially for at-risk individuals, along with intervention programs aimed at reducing the risk of diabetes and prediabetes and the associated risk factors, thereby alleviating the burden of DM in Nigeria.