Prevalence and factors associated with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes among patients in Kirehe District, Rwanda: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: the increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health issue on a global scale. A continuous rise in blood sugar levels, even if there are no symptoms of diabetes, leads to tissue degeneration and, in certain cases, fatal diseases.

Methods: in this cross-sectional study, the researcher examined the prevalence of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients in Kirehe District Health Facilities from October 2023 to February 2024. The target population was 333 patients and the sample size was 201 patients who visited the non-communicable disease clinics throughout the time of data collection, those with T2DM diagnosis for at least a year, and non-pregnant women.

Results: the mean age was 57.23 years with an 11.06 standard deviation. Females represented 58.7% (n=118) while males were 41.3% (n=83). The prevalence of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus was 72.6% (n=146). Patients who had ever been lost to follow-up were more likely to have uncontrolled T2DM (AOR=3.24, 95% CI: 1.06-5.90, p=0.036) compared to those who regularly visited the health facility for care and follow-up. Patients who had comorbidities to diabetes were more likely to have uncontrolled T2DM (AOR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.31-4.68, p=0.005) compared to those who did not have comorbidities.

Conclusion: the prevalence of uncontrolled T2DM is high; healthcare providers have a responsibility to perform home visits to reduce the lost to follow-up rate and to conduct regular screening sessions for diabetes comorbidities.