title: Combined prevalence of impaired glucose level or diabetes and its correlates in Lusaka urban district, Zambia: a population based survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Developing countries are undergoing an epidemiological transition, from Communicable or Infectious to 'Non-Communicable' diseases (NCDs), such that cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, and diabetes were responsible for 60% of all deaths globally in 2005, with more than 75% of these deaths occurring in developing countries. A survey was conducted to determine among other objectives the prevalence of diabetes and its association with physical fitness and biological factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study utilizing a modified World Health Organization's STEPwise approach to surveillance of NCDs was conducted in Lusaka district, Zambia. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select study participants of age 25 years or older. All eligible members of a household that was selected were invited to participate in the study. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR), and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) together with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were obtained using Complex samples logistic regression
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1928 individuals participated in the survey, of which 33.0% were males. About half of the participants were of age 25-34 years (53.2%), and about a third of the respondents had attained secondary level of education (35.8%). The combined prevalence for impaired glucose level or diabetes was 4.0%. Age and mild hypertension were significantly associated with impaired levels of glucose or diabetes. Compared to participants in the age group 25-34 years, older participants were more likely to have impaired glucose level or diabetes (AOR = 2.49 (95%CI [1.35, 2.92]) for 35-44 years age group, and AOR = 3.80 (95%CI [2.00, 7.23]) for 45 + years age group). Mild hypertension was associated with impaired glucose level or diabetes (AOR = 2.57) (95%CI [1.44, 4.57])).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of diabetes in Lusaka district has not reached an alarming level and it is now that interventions targeting the younger age group 25-34 years should be put in place to curtail the spread of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia. ssiziya@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mutale
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nsakashalo-Senkwe
authors.forename: Seter
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siziya
authors.forename: Fastone M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Goma
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Songolo
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mukonka
authors.forename: Olusegun
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Babaniyi