Abstract

Screening study of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was carried out in Amaoba Ikwuano Abia State Nigeria to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and to access their knowledge, attitude and management practices of the diseases. Accu-check. glucometer strip, blood pressure monitor, weighing balance, height metre were used for the study. Out of 260 subjects. 136(52.30%) were males and 124(47.70%) were female. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertention was 35.38% and 32.31% respectively. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the study area indicated that males (41.3%) were more affected than females (29.03%). Also male are more hypertensive (38.25%) than females (28.81%). There is no significant difference with respect to sex (p<0.05). Incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension showed that males within the age group of 61-70 years have the highest (38.89%) followed by females in the same age group (26.78%) and the least (2.94%) was among age group 20 -30 years. There was a significant difference between age and sex (p<0.05). Body Mass Index (BMI) according to sex in relation to diabetes mellitus and hypertension showed that majority of overweight males (67.85%) and females (65.38%) are diabetic and males (60.45%) and females (50.00%) and hypertension respectively are overweight. Questionnaire analysis showed that majority of respondents are aware of what diabetes mellitus is while most (62.03%). Most (64.62%) have not been previously diagnosed of diabetes mellitus. Knowledge on hypertension showed that most (96.15%) are aware of the disease and majorities (67.69%) have not been previously diagnosed of the disease. Some (31.62%) respondent believed that diabetes is caused by consumption of starchy food; others (39.26%) identified the cause of hypertension to be obesity. Management of diabetes mellitus were identified to be adhering to diet (29.31%). Whereas the management of hypertension were identified to be maintaining normal weight (33.57%) followed by routine check of blood pressure (26.93%). Majority (74.62%) of the respondents receive treatment of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in hospital and chemist. High blood pressure and diabetes mellitus are prevalent in the study area. There is need for urgent intervention by relevant agencies for proper health education in the communities for regular screening test and management practices to minimize or avert the risk of complications of late diagnosis.

Keywords: Screening; Prevalence; Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension; Management practices