Abstract:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is the predominant form of human diabetes. It is worldwide
increasing rapidly. In Tanzania, over 1.7 million people have diabetes, about 1.3 million
live undiagnosed and prevalence is higher in urban than rural areas. The goal of this study
was to determine the prevalence of T2DM and associated risk factors among Local
Government Authority workers at Bariadi Town Council, Tanzania. A cross-sectional
study approach was applied, five clusters of study units were purposively formed, and
stratified by gender. Subjects were sampled from each stratum by applying systematic
sampling technique and a sample of 229 subjects was selected proportional to size. Data
were collected through face-to-face interview using structured questionnaires.
Anthropometric measurements were taken. Subjects were also screened for random blood
glucose and those with values ≥ 5.6 and ≤11.1 mmol/l were scheduled for fasting blood
glucose, and individuals with fasting blood glucose values above (7.0 mmol/l) were
confirmed to be diabetic. Epi Info and SPSS software were used in data analysis. Risk
factors were subjected to bivariate analysis and those factors that were associated with
T2DM and known T2DM predictors were subjected to logistic regression through
backward step-wise elimination method; Likelihood ratio statistic of 0.1 was set as
removal criterion to determine the final model. Strength of association was assessed by
Odds Ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals. The overall prevalence was found to be 7.9%
(95%CI=4.7-12.1). Risk factors for T2DM were found to be sex (OR=4.545, 95%CI:
1.069-19.325), age between 30-41 and 41-50 years (OR=8.08, 95%CI: 1.215-53.741;
OR=15.08, 95%CI: 2.315-98.342) and history of raised blood sugar (OR=0.032, 95%CI:
0.006-0.167). Female subjects and primary school workers were mostly affected. Sex, age,
history of diabetes had significant association with T2DM. Control efforts should be
directed on screening and public nutrition programmes.
