RESUMO
To study the magnitude, trends and determinant factors of diabetes mellitus [D.M] in a rural area, this study was carried out upon 500 farmers, selected randomly from a village in Sharkia Governorate during the year 1990. For detection of diabetic cases, an examination protocol was used which include: personal interview, medical examinations and determination of glucose in urine and capillary blood by using simple methods suitable for field screening. The main findings of this study were as follows: the prevalence of D.M. was 3.4% [4.14% males and 2.71% femals]. D.M. was more prevalent among age group > 30 years [765%] and among obese than non obese subjects [8.33% vs 1.23%]. 28.6% of diabetic persons reported a history of bilharzial infestation, while 14.3% had previous viral infection. In view of these results, mass screening for detection of missed diabetic cases in various sectors of population should be done in an out reach health programmes. Further studies should be devoted to investigate the role of bilharzial infestation and other infection in development of diabetes in susceptible subjects, and to study the impact of agricultural total environment upon D.M. as a multifactorial disease