Prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and association between knowledge of diabetes and Diabetes mellitus among police officers in Peter Singogo camp, Zambia

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is becoming one of the major contributors of mortality and morbidity in Zambia and worldwide. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of Diabetes mellitus and the association between knowledge of diabetes and Diabetes mellitus. Method: The study was a community based cross sectional study conducted in Peter Singogo police camp Ndola, Zambia. Systematic sampling was used. The statistical tests used in the analysis of the data were Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were appropriate. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: Out of a sample size of 158, 148 took part in the study giving a response rate of 93.7%. Overall, 50.7% of the respondents were married and 55.3% had attended tertiary education. Out of 148 participants, 13 (8.8%) had Diabetes mellitus. On each birthday respondents were 11% more likely to become diabetic (OR=1.11, 95%CI (1.04, 1.18). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of Diabetes mellitus in the study area is high, Therefore, the need for interventions targeting the younger age group to be put in place so as to curtail the early onset of diabetes.