Abstract

In recent years, Africa has witnessed a notable shift in its disease landscape from acute
infectious conditions to chronic non-communicable diseases like diabetes. The economic
impact of diabetes and its complications has become a significant concern, affecting
individuals, families, healthcare systems, and national economies through direct medical
costs and productivity loss. Uganda, in particular, has observed a rising prevalence of
diabetes, with the Uganda Diabetes Association reporting a 1.4% prevalence, accounting for
approximately 500,000 individuals affected. This surge in diabetes presents a dual challenge
as both a public health issue and an economic burden, necessitating vigilant monitoring and
stringent management. Recognizing its profound public health implications in terms of
morbidity, mortality, and cost, a comprehensive investigation into the prevalence and
complications of diabetes mellitus was conducted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRH).
Using a retrospective facility-based cross-sectional study design encompassing qualitative
and quantitative approaches, this research reviewed 784 patient records admitted to JRRH
from January 2018 to December 2018. The findings revealed a notably high prevalence of
diabetes mellitus at 8.2%. Noteworthy gender disparities were observed, with a higher
prevalence among males (12%) than females (6%) within the studied population. Moreover,
urban dwellers exhibited a higher susceptibility to diabetes compared to rural counterparts,
and the risk was observed to escalate with age. Complications associated with diabetes
mellitus were alarmingly prevalent, reaching 89.23%, predominantly characterized by
microvascular complications, accounting for 56.90%. Despite the severity of complications,
the case fatality rate stood at 1.54%, lower than the documented 4%, possibly influenced by
a spectrum of contributing factors both positive and negative. The study underscores the
urgency for increased focus on diabetes care in Jinja, emphasizing the imperative for further
research, robust health education initiatives, and enhanced funding allocation toward
managing this escalating health concern.
Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Diseases, Public Health, Complications, Males and Females.