1.1 Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent elevation of blood glucose levels due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, and it is recognized as one of the leading non communicable diseases affecting adults globally (World Health Organization, 2024). It is a condition that develops gradually and often remains undetected in its early stages, especially among adults aged 18 years and above, where lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors interact to influence disease onset. Globally, diabetes has continued to increase at an alarming rate, with significant contributions from urbanization, physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, and increasing obesity rates (International Diabetes Federation, 2023).
Among adult populations, diabetes presents a major public health concern because it not only affects individual health but also places a heavy burden on families, healthcare systems, and national economies. In many cases, adult patients are diagnosed late, often when complications such as hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, or vision impairment have already developed.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Diabetes mellitus is a long term metabolic disease that occurs when the body is unable to properly regulate blood glucose levels due to insufficient insulin production, ineffective insulin utilization, or both. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes has become one of the fastest growing global health challenges, with prevalence increasing steadily across all regions, particularly in low and middle income countries. The number of adults living with diabetes has risen significantly over the past decades, largely due to lifestyle changes such as reduced physical activity, increased consumption of processed foods, and rising obesity rates (WHO, 2024).
International Diabetes Federation stated that approximately one in ten adults worldwide is currently living with diabetes, and the majority of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is strongly associated with modifiable risk factors. IDF further affirmed that a large proportion of adults remain undiagnosed, meaning that many individuals live with the condition without being aware of it until complications arise (IDF, 2023).
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes prevalence continues to rise in both developed and developing nations, with adult populations aged 18 years and above being the most affected group. CDC reported that sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, excessive body weight, and genetic predisposition are key contributors to the increasing incidence of diabetes among adults. The organization also emphasized that early detection and consistent management are essential in preventing severe complications associated with the disease (CDC, 2023).
In Africa, the burden of diabetes is increasingly becoming a public health concern. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2023), Africa has experienced one of the highest projected growth rates of diabetes cases globally. IDF reported that many countries in the region face challenges such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to diagnostic tools, and low public awareness, which contribute to late diagnosis and poor disease management. These challenges make diabetes a silent but growing epidemic among adult populations.
According to researchers such as Ogbera and Ekpebegh (2021), diabetes in sub Saharan Africa is often underdiagnosed due to weak health systems and limited routine screening programs. They stated that many adult patients only discover their diabetic status when they present with severe complications in hospitals. This late presentation increases treatment costs and reduces the chances of effective disease control. On the other hand, improved urbanization and changing dietary patterns in African societies are accelerating the transition from traditional lifestyles to more sedentary and high calorie consumption habits, thereby increasing the risk of diabetes among adults.
According to Uloko et al. (2020), the prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria varies across regions but continues to rise steadily among adults aged 18 years and above. They reported that urban areas show higher prevalence rates compared to rural communities due to lifestyle differences, increased consumption of processed foods, and reduced physical activity. Uloko et al. further contended that lack of awareness and poor health seeking behavior contribute significantly to late diagnosis and poor management outcomes among diabetic patients.
This study is set against the backdrop of these growing concerns and the need to understand the prevalence of diabetes among adult patients in order to contribute to better health planning and intervention strategies.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the prevalence of diabetes has continued to rise significantly over the years, especially in low and middle income countries, where lifestyle changes, urbanization, and dietary patterns contribute to increased risk factors (World Health Organization, 2024). In many communities, adults are increasingly exposed to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, obesity, and genetic predisposition, all of which heighten the likelihood of developing diabetes.
On the other hand, many adult patients are often unaware of their diabetic status until complications begin to manifest, which makes early detection and management difficult. In addition, inadequate access to healthcare services and insufficient health education contribute to the increasing number of undiagnosed or poorly managed cases.
Furthermore, even among diagnosed patients, adherence to treatment plans and lifestyle modifications is often inconsistent, thereby worsening disease outcomes and increasing the risk of long term complications. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the prevalence of diabetes among adult patients.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of diabetes among adult patients aged 18 years and above. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the proportion of adult patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with diabetes.
- To determine the major risk factors associated with diabetes among adult patients.
- To assess the level of awareness of diabetes among adult patients.
- To examine the patterns of diabetes occurrence among male and female adult patients.
- To evaluate the availability of screening and diagnostic services for diabetes in the study area.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the prevalence of diabetes among adult patients aged 18 years and above?
- What are the major risk factors associated with diabetes among adult patients?
- What level of awareness exists among adult patients regarding diabetes?
- What is the pattern of diabetes occurrence among male and female adult patients?
- How available are screening and diagnostic services for diabetes among adult patients?
1.6 Significance of Study
It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will help healthcare providers improve early diagnosis and management of diabetes among adult patients aged 18 years and above. The study will also support policymakers in designing effective diabetes prevention and control programs.
Furthermore, the research will improve public health awareness on the causes and prevention of diabetes among adults. In addition, the study will assist researchers in building reliable data for future studies on diabetes prevalence.
Lastly, the findings will contribute to strengthening healthcare delivery systems for better diabetes screening and treatment.
1.7 Scope of Study
This study is focused on the prevalence of diabetes among adult patients aged 18 years and above attending selected healthcare facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria, with emphasis on diagnosis, risk factors, and awareness levels.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Diabetes Mellitus:
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels due to insulin deficiency or resistance. According to World Health Organization (2024), it is a leading non communicable disease affecting global adult populations.
Prevalence:
Prevalence is the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease at a given time. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), prevalence helps measure disease burden within a population.
Adult Patients:
Adult patients are individuals aged 18 years and above who receive medical care in healthcare facilities. According to International Diabetes Federation (2023), adults form the largest group affected by diabetes globally.
Risk Factors:
Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing a disease. According to World Health Organization (2024), risk factors for diabetes include obesity, inactivity, and unhealthy diets.
Screening:
This is the process of testing individuals to detect disease early before symptoms appear. According to American Diabetes Association (2023), screening improves early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
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