PREVALENCE OF PREDIABETES MELLITUS, DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG EMPLOYEES OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN JEDDAH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a significant and growing health concern worldwide, including in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, and its increasing prevalence, coupled with its potential for serious complications, necessitates comprehensive research and public health initiatives to better understand and manage this condition. In this research, we aimed to determine the rate of pre-diabetes and diabetes among healthcare professionals working at primary health care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate the risk factors that are linked with this condition.

Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The study was conducted within the Primary Health Care Centers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The population of interest consisted of all employees, both healthcare and non-healthcare staff, working in the Primary Health Care Centers in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Study instruments involved (1) demographic characteristics, (2) anthropometric measurements, (3) work-related factors and (4) assessment of diabetes status.

Results: The study included 153 participants. Based on fasting blood glucose measurements, 44 participants are prediabetes (28.8%) while 11 participants have diabetes. On the other hand, 98 participants had normal fasting blood glucose (64.1%). Furthermore, based on hemoglobin A1c, 19 participants are prediabetes (12.4%) and 28 participants have diabetes (18.3%) while 106 participants are normal (69.3%). Age group appears to be a significant factor in diabetic status (p = 0.004). Participants aged 45-60 years have a notably higher prevalence of diabetes compared to those aged 25-44 years. Another important result pertains to marital status (p < 0.001). Single individuals show a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes compared to married, widowed, or divorced individuals. Furthermore, education level also shows a significant association with diabetic status (p = 0.001). Participants with postgraduate studies exhibit a lower prevalence of diabetes compared to those with a university education.

Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes among the 153 participants, underscoring the significance of these metabolic conditions in the population. The findings reveal that age group, marital status, and education level are critical factors associated with diabetic status, emphasizing the multifaceted nature of diabetes risk. Specifically, older individuals, married participants, and those with lower educational attainment were more likely to have diabetes. These results underscore the importance of tailored healthcare interventions and public health initiatives to address the varying risk profiles within the population and effectively manage and prevent diabetes.