Associated risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults in the Hohoe municipality of Ghana

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a major cause of morbidity globally. Type 2 diabetes is more common and is increasingly becoming an important medical and public health issue. This study identified the risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Hohoe Municipality. Method: This was an unmatched case-control study that recruited 75 cases and 151 controls to trace various exposures of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A face-to-face interview was employed to administer semi-structured questionnaires to participants. Fasting/random blood glucose and blood pressure levels, weight and height were measured with appropriate instruments. Findings: Diabetes prevalence rate was 70.7% in the cases and 8.6% in the controls. Controlled diabetes was 29.3%. Approximately, 69.3% of diabetics had hypertension as compared to 53.6% among non-diabetics (p=0.031). Prevalence of hypertension among controls was also 53.6%. Married respondents were 88% times less likely to have diabetes as compared to those who were single (AOR=0.12, p<0.001). Artisans and were 5.21 times more likely to develop diabetes as compared to those who were unemployed (AOR=5.21, p=0.032). Those who consumed fruits 1-3 times and more than 3 times per week were 82% and 92% times less likely to develop diabetes (AOR=0.18, p=0.039) and (AOR=0.08, p=0.007) respectively. Participants whose occupation involved vigorous exercise were 69% times less likely to develop diabetes as compared to those whose work did not (AOR=0.3, p= 0.039). Conclusion: Uncontrolled diabetes was high with 3 out of 4 diabetics not able to control their blood sugar levels. About 7 out of every 10 diabetics had hypertension. A very high (8.6 %) proportion of adults had diabetes and were not aware. Married adults were 83% less likely to have diabetes. We recommend that intensive education of the management and control of diabetes and periodic screening for diabetes be instituted to curb the incidence among adults in the Hohoe Municipality