A HIGH PREVALENCE OF DIABETES-MELLITUS AND IMPAIRED GLUCOSE-TOLERANCEIN THE DANAGLA COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN SUDAN

The prevalence and associated factors of diabetes mellitus (DM) and im paired glucose tolerance (IGT) were studied in a tribal community with an apparently high diabetes prevalence. A sample of 724 subjects aged greater than or equal to 25 years was selected using a multi-stage cl uster method and underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. The cru de prevalence of DM and IGT were 8.3 % (men 9.9 %; women 7.5 %) and 7. 9 % (men 4.1 %; women 9.7 %), respectively. Age-adjusted prevalence ra tes, according to the standard population of Segi, were 10.4 % (95 % C I 7.7-13.2) and 9.8 % (95% CI 7.2-12.5) for DM and IGT, respectively. No urban/rural differences were found in the prevalence rates of DM an d IGT. New cases (5.1 %) were almost twice as common as previously kno wn cases (3.2 %). Family history of diabetes, obesity, and advanced ag e were associated with higher rates of diabetes. The results confirmed that diabetes is common in the Danagla community compared to other co mmunities of northern Sudan. Varying environmental, nutritional, and g enetic factors may contribute to this high prevalence. These findings will have profound impact on the health services for this community an d the Sudan as a whole. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.