Conference abstract
Prevalence of elevated blood sugar and its associated risk factors in Oshakati, Oshana Region, Namibia, 2016
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:3(68).25
Oct 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.3.68.176
Archived on: 25 Oct 2017
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Keywords: Diabetes, risk factors, Oshana region, Oshakati, Namibia
Oral presentation
Prevalence of elevated blood sugar and its associated risk factors in Oshakati, Oshana Region, Namibia, 2016
Olivia Nakwafila1, Kofi Nyarko1,&, Gabriel Sehanne1
1Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia
&Corresponding author
Kofi Nyarko, Namibia Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Windhoek, Namibia
Introduction: in 2014, 422 million adults were estimated to be living with diabetes, with 1.5 million deaths recorded in 2012 (WHO, 2015). Cases were mostly found in low and middle-income countries where fatalities occur before the age of 70. Risk factors associated with the condition were mainly lifestyle (diet) and physical inactivity which leads to overweight and obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of elevated blood sugar and its associated risk factors in Oshakati, Oshana Region.
Methods: a cross sectional survey was conducted at four different points in Oshakati. Elevated blood sugar was defined as random plasma sugar level greater than 7.8mmol/l. Pre-diabetics were considered to be levels between (7.8-11.1mmol/l) and diabetic > 11.1mmol/l. Key variables measured include age, sex, education, risk factors, height (m), weight (kg), BMI (kg/m2), blood pressure (mmHg) and random blood glucose (mmol/L) levels were assessed.
Results: the total participants screened for random glucose and exposed to diabetes risk factors were 1304/1920 (67.9%). High glucose levels were highest among the age category 35-49 41 (53%) and declined to 10 (0.1%) among > 65 years of age. About one-third (29%) were found to be diabetic. The proportion of elevated glucose was 77/1304 (6.0%) ranging from 7.8mmol/l - 27.0mmol/l. Pre-diabetics were 55/77 (71.4%) and diabetics 22/77 (29.0%) respectively. The highest risk factors were being overweight 537 (41.2%), obese 491 (37.7%) and at least alcohol consumers and smokers 16 (1.2%). Participants with high glucose levels were referred to nearby health facility to test for fasting glucose.
Conclusion: participants who were tested for diabetes, were mostly at risk of the condition, as majority of them were exposed to risk factors. Routine glucose screening was recommended to prevent complications due to diabetes.
