Type 2 diabetes; effects of socio-demographic factors among patients

ABSTRACT

To determine the effects of various socio-demographic factors upon the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Type 2 Diabetes is growing at an epidemic scale. Besides genetic predisposition, numerous environmental factors elicit the development of diabetes. An estimated 246 million people are suffering from diabetes worldwide. Majority of diabetics [80%] live in very poor countries of the world, where even the least expensive lifesaving diabetes drugs are not available. Pakistan ranks number seven in terms of global diabetes burden and is projected to reach number five in 2025. Approximately half of the diabetics are aware of their disease status, and most of them are diagnosed with complications and poor metabolic control. This study determines the effects of various socio-demographic factors upon the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional. National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, DUHS, Karachi, Pakistan. March 2008 to December 2009. 1029. The mean age of the study sample was 50.5 +/- 12.1 years. Fifty two percent study participants were males and 48% females. They were from various occupations, educational levels and socio-economic strata. Among these diabetics, 73% had family history of diabetes; 20% were doing exercise, 20% knew self monitoring blood glucose and 6% had knowledge to inject insulin. Only 29% followed diabetes diet. A vast majority of diabetic patients was not doing exercise; had least knowledge of self monitoring blood glucose and did not follow diabetes diet. Various environmental factors, lack of related information and peoples' reluctant attitude played important role in the high prevalence of diabetes