DIABETES MELLITUS;

FREQUENCY AMONG GENERAL POPULATION OF RAHIM YAR KHAN

Abstract

. Objective: To determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus and to assess the level of awareness
about diabetes amongst persons attending a free health camp in cultural festival of Rahim Yar Khan. Study Design:
Cross sectional observational study. Place and duration of study: Three days free health camp arranged in a cultural
festival in Rahim Yar Khan. Results: Over all frequency of type II diabetes was 19.38% and the frequency of diabetes
increased both in men and women with increasing age (p<0.001). Newly diagnosed subjects were 6.77% and these
do not know that they were suffering from diabetes. 18.92% subjects were having glucose intolerance and 61.70%
subjects were having random blood glucose level within normal limits. Diabetes was correctly defined by 57% subjects
and this was significantly associated with educational level, suffering from the disease and presence of disease
amongst family members. 14.62% gave history of presence of disease in their families. As compared to females, males
were more suffering from disease and these were consuming more foods and snacks than females (p<.0.01).
Conclusion: High frequency of diabetes mellitus was observed amongst the study population. This may be due to
health consciousness and higher level of educational status in the subjects who participated. Emphasis on health
education and preventive strategies are needed to increase public awareness and early detection of high risk groups
and risk factors of this common disease in our country. The lifestyle behaviors and environmental factors are strong
modifiers of diabetes The life style changes and interventions in early age may prove to be more effective than
interventions done at a later stage.