Assessing people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in Freetown, Sierra Leone

摘要

Objective:This study aims to estimate the proportion of adults that are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus,and to investigate the association of participants at high risk for developing diabetes with various risk factors.Methods:A 2-yearprospective community based cross-sectional design was carried out in Freetown using the standardized Finnish Diabetes Risk Score assessment questionnaire,at two community pharmacies in the East,Central Freetown,and at a Peripheral Health Unit in the west where participants were randomly selected.Results:The study included a total of 1013 adults(ages 18 years and above)which reveals that 36.5%had a family history of diabetes mellitus and 42.8%were physically inactive.Assessment of obesity depicted 35.4%have class 1–2 obesity,with 19.4%males and 35.4%females having central obesity respectively.In terms of risk score,17.8%of total participants were found to be at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of risk for developing diabetes among residents of Freetown.Major risk factors such as,age,family history of Diabetes,obesity,high blood pressure contributed to this.Increase in obesity rate was also seen especially among females having a wider waist circumference and Body Mass Index.Interventions to adequately address issues of physical inactivity,poor dietary habits are highly needed to prevent those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.