title: Prevalence of Diabetes among Migrant Women and Duration of Residence in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross Sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the highest in United Arab Emirates (UAE), however data for the expatriate population is limited. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of T2DM amongst migrant women and test the hypothesis that acculturation (measured by years of residency) is associated with an increased risk of T2DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study and we recruited a representative sample (n = 599, 75% participation rate) of migrant women aged 18 years and over in Al Ain, UAE. The American Diabetes Association criteria were used to diagnose T2DM. An adapted WHO STEPS questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical data. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify correlates of T2DM including length of UAE residence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of participants was 34.1 (± 9.5) years. Of the study participants, based on HbA1C levels, 18.6% (95% CI: 13.9-24.4) had prediabetes and 10.7% (95% CI: 7.2-15.6) had T2DM. Prevalence of prediabetes was 8.5% for Filipinos, 16.7% for Arabs and 30.3% for South Asians. Similarly the prevalence of T2DM was 1.7% for Filipinos, 12.2% for Arabs and 16.7% for South Asians. Significant correlates of overall T2DM (measured and known diabetes) included length of UAE residence for more than 10 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 2.74, 95% CI: 1.21-6.20), age ≥40 years (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.53-7.87) and South Asian nationality (AOR 2.10, 95% CI: 0.94-4.70).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes is a significant public health problem among migrant women in the UAE, particularly for South Asians. Longer length of residence in the UAE is associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Syed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.|Public Health Research Center, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Raghib
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loney
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Faisal
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Iffat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: ElBarazi
authors.affiliation: Ambulatory Health Services, SEHA, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Salma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Dhaheri
authors.affiliation: Dubai Diabetes Center, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: M Hamed
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Farooqi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Iain
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2451-8627
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010679:Philippines; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology