Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence and Risk Factors among Civil Service Workers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Elizabeth Folakemi Alabi^1*, Adeyosola-Adijat Olayinka¹, Adesola Adejumo¹ and Dr. James E. Atolagbe^2
*Correspondence: Elizabeth Folakemi Alabi, Department of Public Health Adeleke University, Nigeria, Email:

Keywords

Diabetes Mellitus • Blood pressure • Obesity • Risk Factors

Introduction

Background to the Study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which occurs as an result of impairment in insulin secretion and/or the activity of insulin, leading to chronic hyperglycaemia with defective carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism [1]. DM could also be referred to as a diverse group of metabolic disorders with associated high disease burden in developing countries, for example Nigeria [2].

level of ≥ 200 mg/dL along with symptoms of diabetes; or a glucose level of ≥ 200 mg/dL on a two-hour glucose tolerance test, or an hemoglobin A1c of ≥ 6.5% (www.who.int). ‘‘In the early nineties, not much was known about DM in Nigeria and traditionally, people related DM to “curses” or “hexes” and it is primarily diagnosed using blood or urine tests for blood glucose content’’ [2]. It is known as a leading global health problem, and risk factor for blindness, vascular brain diseases, renal failure, and limb amputations, among others [3]. Diabetes has the potential to damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves after a long time (www.who.int). It has been predicted that developing countries would account for 77% of the global burden of the DM epidemics in the 21st century [4]. This could be due to the population growth, consumption of junk foods, obesity and sedentary lifestyles [5].

In Nigeria, the current prevalence of DM among adults aged 20–69 years is 1.7% (International Diabetes Federation, 2017). There is a general perception that the IDF is highly under reporting the prevalence rate and impact of DM in Nigeria owing to the fact that their data are derived represent assumption form the information gathered from the reported cases from other countries [6]. A prevalence rate of 2% to 12% has been reported in Nigeria by some researchers [6]. A few studies have reported the prevalence rate of DM in Nigeria; the Nigerian National Non-communicable Diseases (NCD) survey in 1992, where DM had a prevalence rate of 2.2% [6] and recently, a prevalence rate of 4.6% among Ijegun-Isheri Osun residents in Lagos State [7], among others.

There is an increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide (International Diabetes Federation, 2006). Over 5 million people suffer from the disease in Africa and a geometric increase to 15 million by 2025 has been predicted [8]. In Nigeria the prevalence varies from 0.65% to 11.0% [9]. Many cases of diabetes are undiagnosed in Nigeria due to poverty and inadequate access to health care [10]. Fifty percent or more of those with the disease are unaware of their condition (IDF) 2014. However, the purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors of diabetes mellitus among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

Statement of Research Problem

Diabetes is a prolonged disease with debilitating effect on man [11], about 415, 14.2 and 1.56 million people are diabetic globally, in Africa and Nigeria, respectively (IDF, 2015). The Nigerian prevalence rate has been predicted to double by 2040 (IDF, 2015). Diabetics suffer from many health problems because the disease is a risk factor for a number of complications. The disease kills more people every year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Many individuals who struggle with obesity develop diabetes. It has been reported that everyone in the country could develop diabetes, especially those who have substituted active lifestyles for exhibit sedentary lifestyles (such as hiring others as labour in farming activities, use of machines, and replacement of walking and using bicycles, with using motorcycles and cars). Many have also adopted Western diets. These risk factors are common in urban areas such as Osogbo, characterized with a large number of Civil Service workers. There is, therefore, a need to determine the prevalence of diabetes and its associated risk factors among Civil Service workers in Osogbo.

Objectives of the Study:

The main objective of is to determine the prevalence rate and risk factors of diabetes mellitus among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.

The specific objectives of this study include:

i. To describe the prevalence of diabetes among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, Osun state.

ii. To determine whether risk factors (namely blood pressure and obesity) is associated with diabetes among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, Osun state.

iii. To determine whether risk factors (namely eating habits and lifestyle) is associated with diabetes among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, Osun state.

Research Methodology

The research was carried out within Osogbo metropolis in Osun State Nigeria. This comprises of three Local Governments, which are Osogbo, Olorunda and Egbedore Local Government Areas. A descriptive nonexperimental design was adopted for this study, the purpose of which is to determine the prevalence of diabetes among Civil Service workers in Osogbo, and to enable the researcher to discuss and explain the result in simple descriptive and explanatory approach. The target populations are Civil Servants currently working within Osogbo, Osun State. Osogbo, a pre-colonial Yoruba town in the southwestern part of Nigeria, and the capital city of Osun State in 1991. It is located at Longitude 40 34' 0 and Latitude 70 46' 0" North" East. It shares a boundary with Iragbiji, Ikirun, Ilesa, Egbedore, and Ede. The city became a commercial hub in 1907 when the Nigerian railway was founded with rail line transversing the city [12]. The population of Osogbo Local Government Area was estimated to be 187, 693 in 2012 and a total land area of 2,875 square kilometer [12].

Cochran’s formula was used to calculate the sample size because of ease of operation.

n = Z²pq

e²

Where,

n=minimum sample size,

Z=2.326 (for 98% confidence interval),

p=estimated prevalence of diabetes to be 10.0%,

q=1 - p and

e=margin of error to be 1.5%.

n=2.326²×10.0×(1-10)

1.5²

n=5.4103×10.0×9

2.25

n=216.412

n=216

10% of the value of n was added to replace the loss or incomplete questionnaires (10% of n= 21.6=22). Therefore, a total of 238 questionnaires were distributed.

The Cochran’s sampling formula showed that the study required a minimum of 216 respondents for

The method used to collect data involves the systematic sampling technique from government agencies based on the number of Civil Service workers in each Ministry/Agency. The questionnaire was administered to the respondents and the researcher went back to collect them after they were filled. The respondent was selected by approaching Heads of Government Ministries and Agency. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using statistical package for social service (SPSS) version 23, employing the use of simple frequency, percentages, charts and tables (Table 1).

According to the Cochran’s sampling formula, the expected number of sample for this study is 216; as such, the number of respondent will be ratified in relation to 216 in order to obtain the expected number of respondent (216). Expected respondent = (Number of staff /total staff in all Agencies and Ministries) x 216.

Measurement of blood glucose:

One Touch glucometer was used to determine the respondents’ blood sugar (RBS) in their capillary blood samples according to the method of [13]. The instrument uses a capillary blood sample, which is set to plasma serum standard, showing result in plasma glucose values. This measurement was carried out immediately and the results recorded in the questionnaire [14].

Measurement of blood pressure:

Using digital automatic sphygmomanometer [andom], systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the respondents’ was measured in mm/Hg. This measurement was carried out immediately, and the results recorded in the questionnaire.

The weight and height was measured and recorded, body mass index was calculated using the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m²)

Results

The Demographic characteristics of the respondents as shown in Table 1, Participants in this study are made up of 48% males and 52% females. The highest number of respondent in this study is 90 (40.7%) in the age range of 51 - 60 years old, followed by 74 (34.3%) participants with age range of 41-51 years old, while the least number of respondents were 2 of the age range of 61-65 years old. Married individuals of 192 (88.9%) dominated the respondents, followed by single individuals of 20 (9.3%), while only 2 (0.9%) of the respondents were either unmarried or separated. More than 90% of the participants had formal education, with 131 (60.6%) has one degree or the other degree, 32 (14.8%), 24 (11.1%) and 12 (5.6%) had secondary, postgraduate and primary education, respectively. Only 17 (7.9%) of the respondent do not have formal education. The total number of respondents of 34 (15.7%), 30 (13.9%), 42 (19.4%), 38 (17.6%) and 38 (17.6%), were obtained from Health, Economic planning and budget, Agriculture, and Culture and tourism, respectively, among others.

This study revealed that 148 (65.5%) of the respondents comprising 62 (28.7%) males and 86 (39.8%) females; 136 (63%) of the respondents which is made up of 48 (22.2%) males and 88 (40.7%) females, 148 (68.5%) (64 (29.6%) male and 84 (38.9%) female, and 118 (54.6%) which comprises 46 (21.3%) and 72 (33.3%), consume vegetables, fruits, fibre-rich food and fatty parts of meat or ponmo, respectively on a regular basis (Table 2). About 40 (18.5%) comprising 22 (10.2%) male and 18 (8.3%) female, and 52 (24.1%) which is made up of 24 (11.1%) male and 28 (13%), represents lower number of respondents who engage in the regular consumption of soft drinks and fried meats, respectively.

It was also observed from the study that 128 (59.3%) use palm oil for cooking their meal, this involve 60 (27.8%) male and 68 (31.5%) female respondents. About 86 (39.8%) comprising 40 (18.5%) male and 46 (21.3%) female respondents, Only 2 (0.9%) of the respondents which are female cook with butter (Table 2). The result of this study showed that only 8 (3.7%) of the respondents who are all male smoke cigarette, and only 4(1.9) of them smoke between 2 – 4 sticks of cigarette per day (Table 3 and Table 4).