Diabetic surveys in Papua New Guinea - results and implications.
Glucose intolerance was found in 22% of the residents of Koki in Port Moresby, 5% of residents in the coastal village of Kalo and in 3% of 120 young civil servants. The respective prevalences of frank diabetes mellitus were 15.6%, 1% and 0%. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels were similar and low in all groups, despite both obesity and glucose intolerance in the urban-Koki residents who also had a significantly higher blood pressure. There is a need to identify those areas of Papua New Guinea where, in a similar fashion to other countries in the South Pacific, diabetes mellitus is increasing. Simple measures of dietary restriction and increased exercise may be effective in preventing diabetes from becoming a major health problem particularly in identified high prevalence areas.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D012737:Sex Factors