The magnitude of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, and associated factors among adults living in Debre Tabor town, northcentral Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide public health problem. The burden of diabetes has been continuously increasing from day to day, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Globally, half of all cases of diabetes mellitus are undiagnosed. Diabetes mellitus can be easily handled if it is detected early. There is limited evidence on the magnitude of undiagnosed diabetics and prediabetes at the community level in Ethiopia, particularly in the study area. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, prediabetes, and associated factors among adults living in Debre Tabor town. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Debre Tabor town from October to December 2021. A total of 407 participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A pretested structural questionnaire was used to collect demographic, behavioral, and clinical data. Anthropometric measurements were taken with standardized and calibrated equipment. A fasting venous blood sample was collected for blood glucose level determination. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors. A P-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: The magnitude of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and prediabetes was found to be 4.5% (95% CI: 2.9–7.4) and 14.5% (95% CI: 11.1–18.1), respectively. Older age (AOR: 6.50, 95% CI: 1.82–23.21), abnormal body mass index (AOR: 6.84, 95% CI: 1.91–24.54), systolic hypertension (AOR: 8.74, 95% CI: 2.53–30.19), and family history of diabetes mellitus (FHDM) (AOR: 12.45, 95% CI: 3.63–42.65) were significantly associated with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Using saturated oil (AOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.09–3.55), having a high waist circumference (AOR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.20–3.87), and being hypertensive (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.04–4.96) were all significantly associated with Prediabetes. CONCLUSION: Adults in Debre Tabor town have a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes and prediabetes. A variety of modifiable risk factors were also identified. As a result, focusing the prevention strategy on such modifiable risk factors may help to minimize the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and prediabetes as well as future disease complications.