Background: Diabetes is an important cause of morbidity, mortality, and health-system costs worldwide. The growing burden of T2DM particularly in developing countries has directed more attention to primary prevention. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of T2DM and its risk factors among general and diabetic populations of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines. Methods: This was a multi-center community-based cross-sectional study. 2624 individuals 40 years old or older residents (100 persons per Barangay of total 26 barangays) of the Zamboanga Peninsula province have been chosen via door-to-door systematic random sampling procedure. Personal demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle information was collected using a structured questionnaire. Weight, height, WC, BMI, and HbA1c test was were obtained through participant measurements. Results: Valid data of 2572 (98.01%) individuals analyzed, mean ±SD of age was 57.39 ± 10.41 and 1843 (71.7%) of participants were women. Based on ADA 2018 guideline, the prevalence of T2DM and prediabetes were 18.3% and 26.7%, respectively. The frequency of having T2DM and prediabetes was higher in older people (p< 0.05). Urban areas had a significantly higher prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes compared with rural areas (p< 0.01). 54.4 % of the population had a normal body mass index while 45.6% of the population were overweight (32.1 %) or obese (13.5%), and 65% had high or elevated WC. There was a significant association between BMI /central obesity and glucose abnormalities (P<0.01). The prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity was significantly higher in women and the older age groups had significantly lower BMIs/ abdominal obesity than younger age groups. 40.4% of the participants had HTN and the prevalence of HTN was significantly higher in the older age groups and female participants. The prevalence of HTN and family history of diabetes were higher in T2DM patients and individuals with prediabetes (P<0.01). Based on the FINDRISC score, the risk of developing diabetes was high or very high in 17.6% and moderate in 20.0% of the population. Conclusion: The prevalence of T2DM and prediabetes was higher in this study compared to previous surveys in the country. This finding highlights the need for public health efforts to improve T2DM risk factors such as obesity and hypertension in this population. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Diabetes has become a longstanding public health challenge around the world. Over the last 3 decades, the number of people with Type II diabetes (T2DM) has grown to an epidemic level in Canada. Prior research indicated African immigrants residing in Ontario, Canada experienced a 2-4 times higher prevalence of T2DM than Canadian-born individuals. The social determinants of health theoretical framework guided this study assessing the relationship of the risk factors with T2DM. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed using the 2007-2014 Canadian Community Health Survey data. The random sample included 1,526 African immigrants residing in Ontario, Canada. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Study results indicated a lower income level, high acculturation index, and a country of origin significantly associated with T2DM in adjusted and unadjusted binary logistic regression models. Using the results of the study to create a valid and reliable acculturation measurement scale and a cultural-based design of public health programs, increase awareness, and change policies that consider the needs of the sample populations could lead to positive social change by curbing the prevalence of T2DM observed in African immigrants residing in Ontario and Canada at large.