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Prevalence and risk factors associated with diabetes in Meru County, Kenya: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes has emerged as a leading global health problem associated with severe morbidity, mortality, and health-system costs. This is attributed to population growth, aging, urbanization, physical inactivity, and obesity. The increased prevalence of diabetes particularly in rural settings creates a public health challenge for prevention and treatment. However, there is currently a dearth of data supporting planning and implementation of programs for prevention and management of diabetes in rural communities.

Purpose of the study

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and its associated risk factors among a rural population in Meru County, Kenya.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Imenti South, rural areas in Meru County between September and November 2019. Data from 435 respondents comprising 263 (60.5%) females and 172 (39.5%) males were analyzed. Prevalence ratios were calculated using Poisson regression models with robust variance to explore factors associated with the prevalence of diabetes.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes was higher among women (16.35%, 95% CI: 12.3–21.4) compared to that among men (13.95%, 95% CI: 9.5–20) and significantly increases with advancing age, BMI, previous diagnosis of hypertension, and high cholesterol. Our findings showed an overall diabetes prevalence of 15.4% (95% CI: 12.3–19.1) in the study area. Age, hypertension, BMI, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes.

Conclusion

Preventive intervention strategies should aim to address the modifiable correlates so as to reduce the burden of diabetes in rural communities in Kenya.

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Data availability

The data analyzed and presented to support the study findings are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

The study team would like to thank the Project implementation team from the KRCS, Health and Social Services department, for their support and coordination. We would also like to extend our thanks to the participants for their participation in the study.

Funding

This research study was funded by the Danish Red Cross (DRC) and is based on baseline findings from the DRC and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (Diabetes and Hypertension) project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kenya Red Cross Society, Nairobi, Kenya

    Kingori Sarah, Halima Saado Abdillahi, Momanyi Reuben & Atiema Lydia

  2. International Center for Humanitarian Affairs, Nairobi, Kenya

    Kingori Sarah & Halima Saado Abdillahi

Authors
  1. Kingori Sarah
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  2. Halima Saado Abdillahi
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  3. Momanyi Reuben
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  4. Atiema Lydia
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Contributions

SK and ASH conceptualized, wrote, and revised the manuscript. Data analysis, interpretation, and writing were conducted by SK, ASH, and RM. RM and LA were involved in data acquisition and analysis, manuscript preparation, editing, and review.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kingori Sarah.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Not applicable.

Ethical consideration

Informed verbal consent was sought from all participants following a detailed explanation of the study in local dialect to ensure that they understood the information to make the consent. Participation was voluntary without any coercion or penalty for refusal to participate in the study. Confidentiality was assured by undertaking the interviews in a private setting; anonymity and privacy of all information were guaranteed at all the levels of this study. During the survey, any person with high blood pressure was counseled and referred to the nearest health facility to get appropriate care and attention if they were not currently receiving any treatment.

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Sarah, K., Abdillahi, H.S., Reuben, M. et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with diabetes in Meru County, Kenya: a cross-sectional study. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 41, 412–418 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-020-00902-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-020-00902-8

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