Diabetes in Borgou Department in Benin: Prevalence and Associated Factors

An epidemic trend is observed in the evolution the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus worldwide. In a nationwide survey conducted in 2008, prevalence of diabetes was estimated to 2.6% in the hole Beninese population and to 4.6% in Borgou department representing the highest in the country. Aim: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the adult population and investigate associated factors in Borgou department. Method: A survey was conducted from September 30th to November 20th 2011. In a random sampling using the STEP wise approach of surveillance of chronic diseases recommended by the World Health Organization, 4597 subjects over 18 years old (1935 men and 2662 women) were selected. After informed consent, every subject was submitted to the STEP questionnaire and anthropometric measures. Capillary blood was drawn in fast condition to determine glycaemia. Diabetes was defined by fasting glycaemia above 1.26 g/l. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis and difference was considered significant with p < 0.05. Results: Prevalence of diabetes was 12.4%. There was not a significant difference between men (8.5%) and women (9.4%), p = 0.33. Prevalence of previously known diabetes was 1.2% suggesting a large proportion of undiagnosed diabetes. Prevalence of diabetes increased significantly with age (p < 0.0001). There was no association with instruction level (p = 0.21). Other factors significantly associated with diabetes were place of residency (p < 0.0001), ethnicity (p = 0.002), marital status (p < 0.0001), obesity (p = 0.017) and high blood pressure (p < 0.0004). Conclusion: There is a rapid increase in diabetes prevalence in Borgou department in Benin confirming the epidemic trend of the disease. A large proportion of these diabetic subjects remained undiagnosed, so untreated and then, exposed to precocious chronic complications and precocious mortality. These results strongly support need for active intervention program with objectives of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of diabetes mellitus and associated factors.