Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a rural population of Goa, India

Background. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and study the associated factors in a rural population In Goa, India. Methods. A cross-sectional study was done in the rural area of Mandur, Goa. Participants >= 20 years of age were selected by systematic random sampling. They were interviewed with the help of a structured, pretested questionnaire. This was followed by clinical examination, anthropometry and relevant laboratory investigations. Diabetes mellitus was defined as per the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS software package (version 14.0). Results. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the study population was 10.3% (130/1266) with a prevalence of 8.4% among men and 12% among women. On bivariate analysis, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was found to be significantly associated with age, occupation, family income, family history of diabetes, smoking, obesity, hypertension, and high serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified age, family history, hypertension, smoking, total cholesterol and triglyceride as the independently associated variables for diabetes mellitus. Conclusion. Innovative community outreach programmes are required to create awareness, and for screening and treatment of diabetes mellitus to curb the growing epidemic of diabetes in the population.