Diabetes Mellitus and Its Associated Risk Factors among adult Population in Bisha Province, Southwest of Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of diabetes mellitus (DM) among the adult population in Bisha province, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted during December, 2015 using the World Health Organization STEPS wise approach for data collection. Blood glucose level and anthropometric measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference were performed per standard methods. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the prevalence and risk of diabetes.

RESULTS: Of 542 adult individuals included in the study, 13.3% (72) had diabetes, of which 8.1% were previously diagnosed and 5.2% represented new cases. The proportions of DM were 14.7% for men and 10.8% for women. Diabetes was significantly higher among married compared to unmarried individuals (19.3% vs 5.5 %; p<0.001) and among individuals aged ≥40 years old compared to those <40 years (31.3% vs 9.3%; p<0.001). The risk of diabetes was significantly increased with older age (Odds Ratio=4.470; 95% CI 2.264-7.614), married individuals (OR=4.097; 95% CI 2.188-7.672), weight/obesity (OR=2.827; 95% CI 1.567-5.072), hypertension (OR=4.383; 95% CI 2.085-9.214) and having a job (OR=2.327; 95% CI 1.347-4.02). The independent risk factors predicted diabetes were hypertension (Adjusted OR=2.897; 95% CI 1.269-66.13) and job patterns (Adjusted OR=2.793; 95% CI 1.064-7.329).

CONCLUSION: Different risk factors alarming diabetes among adult population in Bisha province were detected. Strategies aimed to improving a healthy lifestyle are necessary to reduce the burden of the disease.