Prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes among Bangladeshi adults and associated factors: Evidence from the Demographic and Health Survey, 2017-18
AbstractAimTo estimate the age-standardised prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, and to identify factors associated with these conditions at individual, household, and community levels.MethodsData from 11, 952 Bangladeshi adults aged 18+ available from the most recent nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 were used. Anthropometric measurements and fasting blood glucose samples were taken as part of the survey. Prevalence estimates of diabetes and prediabetes were age-standardised with direct standarisation, and risk factors were identified using multilevel mix-effects Poisson regression models with robust variance.ResultsThe overall age-standardised prevalence of diabetes was 12.8% (95%CI 11.2-14.3) (men: 12.8%, women: 12.7%), and prediabetes was 14.0% (95%CI 12.6-15.4) (men: 12.1%, women: 16.5%). Among people with diabetes, 61.5% were unaware that they had the condition. 35.2% were taking treatment regularly and only 30.4% of them had controlled diabetes. Factors associated with an increased prevalence of having diabetes were increasing age, male, overweight/obesity, hypertension, being in the highest wealth quintile and living in the Dhaka division. Compared with normal weight and currently unemployed, individuals who were underweight or currently employed were less likely to develop diabetes.ConclusionDiabetes and prediabetes affect a substantial proportion (over one-quarter) of the Bangladeshi adult population. Continuing surveillance and effective prevention and control measures, with a particular focus on obesity reduction and hypertension management, are urgently needed.