Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess knowledge of diabetes and its associated health risks among adults 25 years and above in the Great Soppo community. The study used the descriptive cross-sectional design where data was collected from 50 participants in the Great-Soppo community. A structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data collection. Data collected was analysed and presented on frequency tables and descriptive charts with the help of Microsoft excel 2010. The study lasted for a period of 6months i.e. from January to June 2020.

The study showed that 38% of the participants were diabetics, 52% were not diabetic, and 10% didn’t know if they were diabetic or not (fig. 5). Results also show that 54% of participants had a family member living with diabetes, while 10% did not know the diabetic status of their family members (fig. 6). From the study, 94% of the participants agreed that eating too much sugar is a cause of diabetes mellitus; while 6% didn’t know whether or not eating too much sugar can cause diabetes. Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar as identified by 84% of the participants. To prevent diabetes, an individual should consume a healthy diet, do regular exercise, control weight, and quit smoking as postulated by 92% of the respondents. Another risk to diabetes is a sedentary lifestyle as portrayed by 76% 0f the participants who said that a sedentary lifestyle increases the chances of developing diabetes. Thus from the study, we could see that the population of Great Soppo know of the associated risk factors of diabetes mellitus, which is a great step towards the prevention of diabetes.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 General Introduction

This report titled Knowledge on Diabetes and Associated Health Risks among Individuals’ in the Great Soppo community is divided into five chapters. Chapter one consist of orientation to the study that highlights among others the background, problem statement, purpose, objectives, research questions and operational definition of terms. Chapter two focuses on the literature review, chapter three talks about research design and methodology, chapter four explains the presentation and interpretation of result and chapter five talks about discussion, conclusion, and recommendation.

1.1 Background of the Study

Diabetes mellitus affects millions of people worldwide and its related complications continue to be of great concern. The pandemic is rapidly spreading in developing countries and particularly affecting the poor population in sub- Saharan Africa (International Diabetes Federation, 2015). The prevalence of diabetes among blacks has increased during the past 30 years and blacks are 1.7 times as likely to develop diabetes as White. Among blacks age 25 and older, about 2.3 million have diabetes. Black with diabetes are more likely than non- Hispanic White to develop diabetes and to experience greater disability from a diabetes-related complication such as amputation, adult blindness, kidney failure and increase risk of heart disease and stroke. The death rate for blacks with diabetes is 27 per cent higher than for white (Sobngwi, 2011).

According to Cypress (2015), an individual with diabetes the body either does not make enough insulin or cannot use its insulin as well as it should. This causes sugar to build up in blood this explains why many people refer to diabetes as’’ sugar’’. Diabetes usually presents with signs and symptoms like frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, sudden vision change. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United State.

People tend to use more high sugar food and do sedentary work with the changing lifestyle as a result of globalization and industrialization. With that, diabetes Mellitus has increase (Mantrap Paulsen, 2010). Abengunde et al. (2007) mentioned that the government should take actions to control diabetes Mellitus in countries: especially the low and middle-income countries possess an enormous economic burden due to diabetes mellitus.

According to Belgicet al (2016), diabetes mellitus has some risk factors including hyperglycemia, irregular fat profiles, other associated risk factors include hypertension, overweight, obesity, smoking, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and exercise pattern.

We have modifiable risk factors and non-modifiable risk factors. the modifiable risk factors include diets rich in fat, low physical activity, high blood pressure (above 140/90), metabolic syndrome. Non- modifiable risk factors include age (above 40years) and family history of diabetes.

1.2 Problem Statement

Diabetes is a major health problem and is a non- modifiable risk factor to stroke. It is also linked to hypertension. The worldwide increase in type two diabetes mellitus is becoming a major health problem in many communities. The lack of many individuals’ knowledge about how to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the chances of having diabetes put many people at risk of developing diabetes. Hence because of the lack of knowledge of many individuals’ and communities about what diabetes is all about makes many people to stands a greater risk of developing diabetes (especially type two diabetes) that has a lot to do with lifestyle modification which many individuals’ do not practice due to lack of knowledge people diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus are encouraged to make multiple lifestyle changes to manage their condition. These changes include diet, exercise, and medication.

1.3 Research Questions

1. What is the associated health status of diabetes?
2. What are the associated risk factors to Diabetes Mellitus?
3. Does the population know of the diet and lifestyle modifications to prevent diabetes?

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1General objective

To assess knowledge on diabetes and its associated health risks among adults 25 years and above in the Great Soppo community.

• Specific Objective

1. To identify the associated health status to diabetes
2. To bring out the associated risk factors to diabetes.
3. To identify the dietary and lifestyle modifications in the prevention of diabetes