Diabetes Sweeping Rural Areas: Findings from Community Based Study in Rural Agra, India

Introduction: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) showed that nearly 7 crore people in India were suffering from diabetes in 2015 and this number is projected to be 12.5 crore by 2040. India’s economic boom has been accompanied by a dramatic upsurge of diabetes. Globalization of unhealthy lifestyles are closing the gap between urban and rural diabetes. So it has become important to estimate the diabetes prevalence and risk factors in rural Agra, India where no community based data was available. Material and Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was carried out in rural Agra from June 2013 to 2014. The sample size was calculated to 1209. Data was collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire while fasting blood glucose measured with the help of Glucocard - Vital Glucometer. The data was compiled and statistically analyzed using SPSS-22 software. Results: The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in rural Agra was found to be 7% with a diagnostic gap of 37%. Prevalence of Diabetes was observed significantly associated with the age, occupation and socioeconomic status. Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus was significantly more in people with higher Body mass index (13.3%), centrally obesity (10.3%) and higher Waist Hip Ratio (8.4%) than with normal BMI (4.4%), non-obese (4.2%) and normal WHR category (1.6%). On multiple logistic regression age, hypertension, BMI and WHR contribute as risk factors for developing Diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: As evident from findings diabetes is becoming common in rural population also, adding to the problem is poor awareness. Health care systems should be strengthened for early detection and effective treatment of disease.