Urban and rural prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes and risk factors associated with diabetes in Tanzania and Uganda

Abstract

BackgroundThe increase in prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa underlines the importance of understanding its magnitude and causes in different population groups. We analyzed data from the Africa/Harvard Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT) studies to determine the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes and risk factors associated with diabetes.MethodologyParticipants were randomly selected from peri-urban (n=297) and rural (n=200) communities in Uganda, and teachers were recruited from schools (n=229) in urban Tanzania. We used a standardized questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and self-reported disease status including diabetes status. Blood glucose was also measured after participants fasted for 8 h. We used standard protocols for anthropometric and blood pressure measurement.ResultsThe overall prevalence of diabetes was 10.1% and was highest in rural Ugandan residents (16.1%) compared to teachers in Tanzania (8.3%) and peri-urban Ugandan residents (7.6%). The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 13.8%. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was low across all sites, where 68% of participants with diabetes were not captured by self-report. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, family history (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.6) and hypertension (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.2) were significantly associated with diabetes.ConclusionsThe prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Uganda and Tanzania is high, differs markedly between population groups, and remains undiagnosed in an alarmingly high proportion of individuals. These findings highlight the need for large-scale, prospective studies to accurately quantify the burden and identify effective intervention and treatment strategies across diverse African populations.

Physical Activity and Associated Socioeconomic Determinants in Rural and Urban Tanzania: Results from the 2012 WHO-STEPS Survey

“…The observed differences in PA status in rural and urban settings have also been reported previously and reflect the rural-urban differences in NCDs prevalence [27][28][29]. Different studies conducted in Africa have consistently reported higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk factors in urban compared to rural settings [27][28][29]. In addition, we observed a negative linear relationship between PA levels and a number of cardio metabolic risk factors including high blood pressure.…”

“…This could render GPAQ less appropriate for in between groups' evaluation, meaning that some of the comparisons between groups have been interpreted with caution. Despite these limitations, studies employing different PA questionnaires and/or objective PA assessment have reported similar trends of PA [27][28][29]. This means that while the observations presented in the current study require further verification, the overall PA status reported reflects the real situation.…”

A Study of Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, Prediabetes and Cardio Metabolic Profile among Rural Population in South India

“…Most participants 272(97.49%), were married. In the study by Chiwanga F. S. et al 9 the highest number of participants belonged to the age group of 30-39 years followed by the age group of 40 -49. The number of female participants (80, 51.6%) was more than males (75, 48.4%).…”

Prevalence and predictors of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension in community‐dwelling older adults

“…Consequently, diabetes and hypertension are commonly associated with each other and frequently co‐occur. Commonly shared risk factors include, but are not limited to, physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy diet, heavy alcohol use and smoking; those who live in rural areas are more likely to have diabetes and hypertension compared with those who live in urban areas …”

“…Commonly shared risk factors include, but are not limited to, physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy diet, heavy alcohol use and smoking; those who live in rural areas are more likely to have diabetes and hypertension compared with those who live in urban areas. [3][4][5][6] Among older adults, both diabetes and hypertension are independent risk factors for frailty, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease; [7][8][9] and co-occurring diabetes and hypertension has synergistic effects on morbidity and mortality. Co-occurring diabetes and hypertension increases all-cause mortality by 38% and cardiovascular disease by 70%.…”