Background: There is increase in the prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabian population, due to significant changes in cultural factors, in addition to changes in dietary habits and socio-economic factors in addition tothe high prevalence of physical inactivity.
Objective: The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, and to identify some of the associated risk factors in adult educated and employed males of Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia.
Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Arar city, during the period from January to February 2016. A total of 325 educated and employed male Saudi nationals aged ≥30 years were included in the study. Data were collected by means of personal interview with the participantsusing a predesigned questionnaire covering the medical history of diabetes, age, family history of diabetes and physical activity. Anthropometric examination included height and weight measurements and calculation of body mass index (BMI). Blood sample is drawn under complete a septic conditions to determine random blood glucose level. Person considered diabetic if random blood sugar was ≥200 ml/dl
Results: The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitusamong adult educated and employed males of Arar city was14.8 %. There is high statistically significant difference between different age groupsof the participants as regard diabetes(P value < 0.001) but here is no statistically significant difference between obese and non obese (P value >0.05). There is also highly significant relation between the family history of diabetesand diabetes(P value < 0.001).Diabetes was found in 17.8% and 9.8% of physically inactive and physically active participants respectively and there is statistically significant relation between diabetesand physical activity (P value <0.05).
Conclusion and recommendations:The prevalence of diabetes is relatively high among the male Arar city, Northern Saudi Arabia population and represents a major clinical and public health problem.
Factors such as aging, family history of DM and physical activity are associated with diabetesA national prevention programs to prevent diabetes and address the modifiable risk factors should be implemented.