Prevalence, risk factors and awareness of hyperglycaemia in Mafia Island, Tanzania

Type 2 diabetes is of increasing prevalence and importance in Africa. We have surveyed a total of 570 adults in the Mafia Archipelago in Tanzania. Data were collected through questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and random blood glucose measurements. Twenty seven percent (27%) of the participants were aged between 41 and 50 years and the male: female ratio was 1.05: 1.00. Most (53%) of the participants had primary level education, while 28% had no formal education. Moderately elevated random blood glucose (RBG) was seen in 6.7% of the participants (10.0-20.0 mmol/l), while 2.5% had a severely elevated RBG (>20.0 mmol/l). In addition, a further 1.0% had known diabetes, but with a normal (<10.0 mmol/l) RBG. This gives a total prevalence of type 2 diabetes of 10.2%. This was significantly associated with increasing age, higher body mass index (BMI), and a family history of diabetes. We conclude that there is a high prevalence of diabetes in this area of Tanzania. Many patients were unaware of the diagnosis and/or had significant hyperglycaemia. There is an urgent need for raised awareness and greater availability of screening and treatment.