Abstract
BackgroundThe increase in prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa underlines the importance of understanding its magnitude and causes in different population groups. We analyzed data from the Africa/Harvard Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT) studies to determine the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes and risk factors associated with diabetes.MethodologyParticipants were randomly selected from peri-urban (n=297) and rural (n=200) communities in Uganda, and teachers were recruited from schools (n=229) in urban Tanzania. We used a standardized questionnaire to collect socio-demographic and self-reported disease status including diabetes status. Blood glucose was also measured after participants fasted for 8 h. We used standard protocols for anthropometric and blood pressure measurement.ResultsThe overall prevalence of diabetes was 10.1% and was highest in rural Ugandan residents (16.1%) compared to teachers in Tanzania (8.3%) and peri-urban Ugandan residents (7.6%). The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 13.8%. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was low across all sites, where 68% of participants with diabetes were not captured by self-report. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, family history (OR 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.6) and hypertension (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.2) were significantly associated with diabetes.ConclusionsThe prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Uganda and Tanzania is high, differs markedly between population groups, and remains undiagnosed in an alarmingly high proportion of individuals. These findings highlight the need for large-scale, prospective studies to accurately quantify the burden and identify effective intervention and treatment strategies across diverse African populations.
Highlights
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 19.8 million people have diabetes in Africa where approximately 75% are still undiagnosed [1]
We report on data from the Africa/HSPH Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT), an initiative that aims to conduct a large prospective study in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Nigeria to gain knowledge on risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including diabetes
We found a high prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes across three sites in Tanzania and Uganda
Summary
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that 19.8 million people have diabetes in Africa where approximately 75% are still undiagnosed [1]. The prevalence of pre-diabetes, a transition stage with blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, is currently at 8.3% and expected to rise to 9.3% by 2035. The increase in prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa underlines the importance of understanding its magnitude and causes in different population groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in Uganda and Tanzania is high, differs markedly between population groups, and remains undiagnosed in an alarmingly high proportion of individuals. These findings highlight the need for large-scale, prospective studies to accurately quantify the burden and identify effective intervention and treatment strategies across diverse African populations
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