Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus in Al-Baidha Governorate, Yemen

Abstract

Objectives: To identity the magnitude of diabetes and its epidemiological profile at Al-Baidha Governorate, Yemen, and assess the potential role of the inter-family marriage in increasing the risk of diabetes. 
 Method: This is a descriptive and analytic epidemiological study of 2458 diabetic patients profile reported at Al-Baidha Governorate population in Yemen covering the period (2007-2009). Data sources included reviewing the patients’ files and health statistical reports of the governorate Health office. Additional primary data on family history and diabetes treatment types were collected by a group of researchers (medical students) through conducting home visits for the diabetic patients during the study period. 
 Results: The percentage of diabetes mellitus is estimated to be 14.8% among males and 10.2% of females. The percentage of diabetes appeared to be increasing among urban areas (20.7%) than that of rural areas (4.3%). The overall age-adjusted proportions obtained from the study showed that 564 (23.2%) individuals were less than 30 years of age and the majority1864 (76.8%) were above 30. The study demonstrated that 2071 (84.3%) diabetic individuals are on oral hypoglycemic agents and that 381 (15.7%) were on insulin injections. Tracing the family history of 801 diabetic men and women demonstrated that the father was diabetic in 39.8%, mother in 26.8%, Grandfather 14.8%, grandmother 10.5% and second degree relative 8.4%. Also, the study showed that 58% of diabetic patients have marriage with first degree or second-degree relatives. 
 Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that diabetes has become a major health problem in Yemen. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of interfamily marriage and genetic susceptibility in the aetiology of diabetes.
 Keywords: Diabetes, Aetiology, Odds Ratio, Chi-Squares Tests, Yemen