Prevalence of Diabetes Among Patients Attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital

Abstract Background: In Uganda, the number of diabetics has been increasing over the years since it attained independence. What is already known on this topic is that, Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health problem, from 30 million people affected 10 years ago to over 130 million now (Amos, 2007), and an estimated 300 million by 2025 (WHO, 2010). Study Objective: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among patients seen in medical ward at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital. Methodology: The study design used was retrospective type. Results: The prevalence among 66 patients in the records 14(21.21%) had type I and 52 (78.79%) had type II associated majorly with 40 (60.61) positive family history and 26 (39.39%) of them had negative family history of DM. Also the few patients whose weights were taken and recorded had higher BMI (72.34%) Recommendations: Administration of KIUTH should if possible establish a diabetes clinic and employ diabetes specialists to handle these vulnerable patients. It would be appreciated if KIU could offer a course in diabetes as one of the specialties. This would attract some interested researchers/students to enrol so that diabetes specialists are produced to handle this “silent killer.” Conclusion: Type II diabetes was more prevalent with associated factors such as Obesity and overweight which were threats to health of majority of people especially women as compared to their male counterpart which led to complications like Neuropathy, hypertension, blurring of vision, gastritis, cataracts, heart failure, renal failure, and urinary tract infections. Above all, diabetes is likely to reach epidemic proportion in the next decade or so unless attention it deserves is granted.