Samwel Maina Gatimu, Benson Williesham Milimo, Miguel San Sebastian
Abstract
Diabetes is one of the leading non-communicable diseases in Africa, contributing to the increasing disease burden among the old adults. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of diabetes among adults aged 50 years and above in Ghana.
A cross sectional study based on data collected from Study of Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 1 from 2007 to 2008. Data was collected from 5565 respondents of whom 4135 were aged 50+ years identified using a multistage stratified clusters design. Bivariate and hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the determinants and diabetes.
The weighted prevalence of diabetes among the adults aged 50 years and above in Ghana was 3.95% (95% Confidence Interval: 3.35-4.55) with the prevalence being insignificantly higher in females than males (2.16%, 95% CI: 1.69-2.76 vs. 1.73%, 95% CI: 1.28-2.33). Low level of physical activity (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 2.11, 95% CI: 1.21-3.69) and obesity (AOR 4.81, 95% CI: 1.92-12.0) were associated with increased odds of diabetes among women while old age (AOR 2.58, 95% CI: 1.29-5.18) and university (AOR 12.8, 95% CI: 4.20-39.1), secondary (AOR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.38-9.47) and primary education (AOR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.02-7.19) were associated with increased the odds of diabetes among men.
The prevalence of diabetes among old adults shows a similar trend with that of the general population. However, the prevalence may have been underestimated due to self-reporting and a high rate of undiagnosed diabetes. In addition, the determinants of diabetes among older adults are a clear indication of the need for diabetes prevention programme targeting the young people and that are gender specific to reduce the burden of diabetes at old age. Physical activity and nutrition should be emphasised in any prevention strategy.
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science
18
3%
Other
75
12%
Unknown
247
39%
Attention Score in Context
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 2. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 31 July 2019.
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#14,282,319
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#10,382
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Outputs of similar age from BMC Public Health
#116
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