A Cross Sectional Study of Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Army Personnel in Belgaum Cantonment

Abstract

Background: ABSTRACT Diabetes is rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in India; and India has the maximum number of diabetics in the world. Diabetes assumes special importance in context of Indian army, where Diabetes is one of the leading causes of hospital admission, disability and invalidment from service. The present study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Army personnel in Belgaum Cantonment. No study of this kind has been carried out in this place, so far. Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to find out the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and its distribution and determinants amongst the armed force personnel in Belgaum Cantonment. Methodology: A one year cross sectional study with a sample size of 600 participants, carried out by a structured interview using questionnaire, physical examination, anthropometry, and fasting blood sugar estimation. Results: The overall prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among army personnel in Belgaum Cantonment was 6.67%. Out of 40 diabetics identified, 17(42.5%) of them were newly detected cases of diabetes. The various risk factors found to be significantly associated with Diabetes in the present study are increasing age, higher army ranks and higher educational status, lack of physical exercise, alcohol intake, increased Body Mass Index (BMI), increased Waist Hip Ratio (WHR), extra fat intake in the diet, long duration of field service and prolonged mental stress. Diabetes was also positively associated with Hypertension and family history of Diabetes. Interpretation and Conclusion: To conclude, we observed a modest prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus i.e. 6.67% amongst army personnel in Belgaum Cantonment. Urgent actions need to be taken to prevent Diabetes becoming a major health problem in this organization.