Gender Differential in the Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus among the Patients in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. It is a major public health problem and disease burden worldwide, and especially in Nigeria. This study determined the gender differential in the incidence of Diabetes mellitus among the patients in Udi L.G.A of Enugu State. Three research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey design was employed. A sample of 343 diabetes mellitus patients were randomly selected and used for the study. Researchers design data documentary profoma was used to collect the data from selected health facilities in respect to the patients' gender and their fasting sugar level as contained in their folder or hospital record/register. Frequency and percentages was used to answer research question while the null hypothesis was tested using Chi-square at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the result revealed a high incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in 2012, females recorded a high incidence of DM from 2008-2012 and high percentage of fasting blood sugar level than male. The finding also revealed no difference in the fasting blood sugar based on gender. It is recommended among others that diagnostic investigation on human placental lactose is advocated to reduce or stop its opposition to insulin secretion during pregnancy.