Prevalence and Associated Factors of Diabetes Mellitus Among Adult Population in Hawassa Zuria Woreda, Sidama Region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main health problems in unindustrialized countries. According to the International Diabetes Federation report, adults living with diabetes were growing from time to time globally. Worldwide, diabetes mellitus accounts for 8.8% (424.9 million) morbidity and 4 million deaths. Ethiopia is one of the countries frequently affected by the disease with about 2.567 million (5.2%) of its population affected with diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus among adult population in Hawassa Zuria Woreda, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to February 15, 2019 among 519 adult population. A study participant was selected using a multistage sampling technique. We had employed the World Health Organization (WHO) stepwise method for non-communicable disease surveillance to collect the data. Fasting glucose meter was used from venous blood to test for blood glucose level. EPI info was used to enter and clean the data and the data were transported to SPSS for analysis. To assess associated factors with diabetes mellitus adjusted odds ratio (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was employed and p.value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 516 participants were included in the study. The diabetes mellitus prevalence was found to be 12.4% (95% CI: 9.5–15.2). Factors associated with diabetes mellitus were being obese [AOR=9.2, 95% CI:4.3, 19.8], hypertensive (AOR=3.8, 95% CI:1.75, 8.4), cigarette smoking (AOR=7.8, 95% CI: 3.45, 18.1) and high waist circumference (AOR=25, 95% CI:8.5, 79). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be high, which was greater than the estimated national prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Obesity, hypertension, cigarette smoking and high waist circumference were determinant factors for diabetes mellitus. Appropriate actions such as creating community awareness on regular blood sugar testing and preventive measures are recommended.