FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES AMONG ADULTS AGED 45 TO 60 YEARS AT ORUM HEALTH CENTER IV, OTUKE DISTRICT.

Abstract

Background

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of elevated levels of blood glucose which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

 Purpose 

Determined the prevalence, knowledge, and health facility-related factors associated with diabetes among adults aged 45 to 60 years at Orum Health Center 1V, Otuke district

 Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed where 67 respondents were obtained by simple random sampling method. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using a questionnaire.

 Results

 prevalence of diabetes was 28(33%) among the respondents, 61(91%) had heard about diabetes and knew something about diabetes, 06(9.0%) were not sure, majority 34(50.8%) reported obesity as a major risk factor whereas few 05(7.5%) reported smoking with most 23(34.3%) reporting excessive thirst as symptom, least 04(6.0%) stated numbness, majority of respondents 34(50.8%) would take more than thirty-one minutes to reach the facility while few 07(10.4%) would take between 1-10 minutes 36(54%) reported health workers attitude was good, 04(6%) reported bad attitude towards diabetic patients, with transport 31(46.3%) most hindrance to the facility, whereas the least 07(10.4%) reported health workers absence, most respondents 24(36%) would wait 30 minutes to 2 hours whereas few would wait for less than 30 minutes before attended to. 

 Conclusion

 Prevalence of diabetes was high with a high number of respondents between 56-60 years, the knowledge of respondents about diabetes was good because the majority had heard and knew about diabetes, and health workers' attitude towards diabetic patients was good because most of them were willing to help the patients.

 Recommendations

Government through the Ministry of Health should avail more resources for screening diabetes, carry out public awareness campaigns, train health personnel, and other measures that improve service delivery and  the burden of disease in the nation.