Diabetes Mellitus and its Risk Factors Among a Suburban Population of Northwestern Nigerians: A Community-Based Survey.

Background:Diabetes mellitus is a serious public health problem, and its prevalence is increasing globally. However, there are scanty reports of the scope and burden of the disease among suburban populations of Nigeria. This study aims to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and to determine the associated risk factors of the disease among the suburban population of Northern Nigeria. Methodology:A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in which 1100 subjects were recruited using a multistage random cluster sampling technique. They were screened for diabetes by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or casual plasma glucose (CPG) estimation. Individuals with FOG >7mmol//l or CPG >7.8mmol/l abnormal glucose levels had a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HbA1c done. The prevalence of diabetes was computed with a 95% confidence interval. Result:The crude prevalence of diabetes from this study is 4.1% (95% CI = 3.3 - 4.9%) and standardized rate of 6.4%. Male gender OR 0.74, (95% CI = 0.569 - 1.982), age >40yrs OR 1.12 (95% CI = 0.851 - 1.463), physical inactivity OR 3.78 (95% CI = 2.881 - 12.726), Hypertension (SBP OR 10.28 (95% CI = 6.319- 29.369), (DBP OR 7.52 (95% CI = 3.928 - 36.914), and family history of DM OR 9.34 (95% CI = 3.890 - 23.481), showed significant independent association with diabetes. Conclusion:The prevalence of diabetes in the suburban population of Northwestern Nigeria is high and the associated risk factors include overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes and age.