High rate of diabetes in the Asia-Pacific Island: Possible role of rapid urbanization – A hospital based study

Abstract

Asia-Pacific countries are experiencing lifestyle-related non-communicable disease crises. Kimbe, one of Papua New Guinea’s provincial capitals is noted as the fastest growing city in the South Pacific subcontinent yet its impact on diabetes mellitus (DM) is not known. To determine pattern of newly diagnosed DM, we conducted a retrospective review of Kimbe General Hospital medical admissions from January 2009 to December 2012. 125 patients were diagnosed with diabetes with male: female ratio of 1.1: 1. Overall, number of patients diagnosed with DM at the hospital increased rapidly from 16 in 2009 to 49 in 2012; p <0.05. Majority of the patients were of young population aged <50 years representing 72 % of the cohort and predominantly of coastal province of origin. Almost 3/4th of the study population was based in Kimbe town and its suburb with only 32 subjects (25.6%) identified as rural residents; p<0.05. This study suggests that subjects living in Asia-Pacific area of rapid urbanization are at higher risk of diabetes compared to residents of rural areas. It highlights the need for adequate health planning and education as part of urbanization program in the DM-prone Asia-Pacific population. Further prospective studies are needed to verify our findings.South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.6(2) 2016: 48-52

Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy among Patients Seeking Eye Care Services in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

“…Health education and increasing accessibility to eye care services especially for the less privileged population will help eliminate these daring influences on seeking health information and checkups [ 11 , 27 ]. These measures will be very essential since it is expected that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) will be on the rise in PNG due to high levels of NCD risk factors [ 28 ] and the high level of undiagnosed diabetes in PNG [ 1 ] which could lead to visual impairment and loss of productivity.…”

“…The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Pacific Island region is increasing, with urban migration as the leading cause [ 1 ]. In 2021, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that 51.5% of people with diabetes in Papua New Guinea (PNG) remain undiagnosed [ 2 ].…”