Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the emerging public health problems in
developing countries like Ethiopia. As the International Diabetes Federation suggests that the
number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has been increasing from time to time. If early
screening and follow up is done, it is a manageable disease. However, the studies at community
levels in Ethiopia are limited and scarce.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, prediabetes and their associated factors
among adult aged 18 years and above in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2019
among people aged ?18 years old in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia. A multistage sampling
technique was used to select a total of 587 participants in the study. Data were collected using a
pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Venous blood samples were used to determine the level
of blood glucose and lipid profile. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to control the effect of confounders.
Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to measure
associations. The P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and prediabetes was 6.8% (95 % CI 4.9-9.0) and
15.7 % (95% CI 12.9-18.7) respectively. The proportion of previously undiagnosed diabetes
mellitus was 72.5%. Having family history of diabetes mellitus (AOR: 20.24, 95% CI 4.741-
86.432), smoking habit (AOR: 12.12, 95% CI 2.304-63.737), hypercholesterolemia (AOR: 8.97,
95% CI 2.053-39.233), systolic hypertension (AOR: 4.61, 95% CI 1.088-19.500) and overweight
(AOR: 21.95, 95% CI 6.731-71.603) were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus.
Prediabetes was associated with advanced age (AOR: 3.55, 95% CI 1.164-10.791), marital status
(single) (AOR: 3.06, 95% CI 1.400-6.674), education (illiterate) (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI 1.037-
5.347) and over weight (AOR: 2.11, 95% CI 1.053-4.233).
Conclusion: There was a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and prediabetes. Also,
modifiable associated risk factors were identified. Therefore, urgent action is needed to counter
the rise in diabetes and prediabetes through earlier diagnosis, prevention and treatment
Keywords: Prevalence, Associated factors, Diabetes mellitus, Prediabetes
