Bac kground: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the world. The aim of our study was to assess the level of knowledge of the adult population of Porto-Novo on clinical manifestations and complications of diabetes mellitus. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted under STEP wise approach. It took place from June 1 to July 28, 2014. Results: A total of 240 subjects were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 46.07 years ± 12.63 years, ranging from 25 to 80 years. Subjects age between 35 - 45 years are the most represented. Women were mostly represented 162 against 78 men respectively 67.5% against 32.5% with sex ratio of 0.48. The majority of the subjects were scholar (73.3%). For clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus, 64.2% of subjects had quoted polyuria, asthenia 57.5%, 56.7% weight loss. Polydipsia and polyphagia were less familiar with, respectively, 27.5% and 23.3%. Regarding the complications of diabetes, diabetic foot and coma were the best known, respectively, 78.8% and 58.8%. Nephropathy (45.0%), 39.6% retinopathy and neuropathy (21.7%) were the least known. The prevalence of physical inactivity in this study population was 95.0%. It was 98.1% in women versus 88.5% for men. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, whose prevalence is steadily increasing, is not yet well known in our population.
Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue in the world by its increasing frequency, morbidity, mortality and its economic costs [
It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted according to STEP wise approach recommended by the WHO to screening and monitoring of risk factors for non-communicable diseases [
The collected data were analyzed with Excel and the EPI INFO software version 3.5.3.
The mean age of the subjects was 46.07 years ± 12.63 years, ranging from 25 to 80 years. Age subjects between 35 - 45 years are the most represented.
Women were mostly represented 162 against 78 men respectively 67.5% against 32.5% with sex ratio of 0.48.
Traders were most represented (46.7%) in this population (
The majority of the subjects were scholar (73.3%). 28.4% of them are obese and 3.3% have diabetes in their family.
Cardinal symptoms of diabetes mellitus:
Polyuria
| Occupation | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Official | 24 | 10.0 |
| Trader | 112 | 46.7 |
| Student/pupil | 6 | 2.5 |
| Craftsman | 45 | 188 |
| Housewife | 34 | 14.2 |
| Other | 19 | 7.9 |
| Total | 240 | 100 |
64.2% of subjects had cited as a symptom of diabetes mellitus.
Asthenia
It was cited by 57.5% of subjects.
Emaciation
56.7% of subjects had itemized it.
Polydipsia
72.5% of the subjects were unaware, so only 27.5% of the subjects knew it as a sign of diabetes.
Polyphagia
It was cited by 23.3% of the respondents.
The diabetic foot
This is the most known complication by the surveyed subjects (78.8%).
Coma
58.8% had quoted a coma from complications of diabetes mellitus.
Nephropathy
It was cited by 45.0% of subjects.
Retinopathy
39.6% of subjects had quoted.
Neuropathy
The majority of subjects in our study (78.3%) were unaware of.
The average number of meals consumed per day was 2.7 (3 meals) ± 0.59 with extremes ranging from 1 to 5 meals.
Snacking was noted in 65.0% (n = 156) in the overall population.
The fruits are consumed by 91.3% of subjects with an average frequency of consumption of fruit per week of 3.31 (3 times/week) ± 2.31, with a range from 1 to 14 times.
For vegetables, they are consumed by 95.0% of subjects with an average frequency of vegetables consumption per week of 1.83 (2 times/week) ± 1.2, with a range of 1 to 7 times.
The average frequency of sport per week is 1.92 times (2 times/week) ± 1.4 with extremes ranging from 1 to 7 times.
The prevalence of physical inactivity in this study population was 95.0% (n = 228). It was 98.1% in women versus 88.5%.
Regarding the clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus, polyuria is the most known symptom (64.2% of subjects had cited as a symptom of diabetes mellitus) followed by asthenia (cited by 57.5% of subjects), weight loss (56.7%). Polydipsia and polyphagia are the least known symptoms (27.5% and 23.3% polydipsia for polyphagia). We can therefore understand that the clinical manifestations of diabetes mellitus are not yet well known by the people of Porto-Novo, despite the various awareness campaigns that apparently have not yet reached the majority of the population.
This lack of knowledge about diabetes was also noted by Katchunga P.B. et al. in South Kivu [
Regarding the complications, diabetic foot is the most known complication (78.8%) because it is the most remarkable complication. The idea that a wound in a diabetic patient takes a long time to heal is very generally spread. Acute complications are also known by more than half of our study population (58.8%). Other complications are less known.
The average number of meals consumed per day was 2.7 (3 meals) ± 0.59 with extremes ranging from 1 to 5 meals. But snacking was noted in 65.0% in the overall population. That percentage is so high and proves that our population needs an education about the feeding behavior.
The fruits are consumed by 91.3% of subjects with an average frequency of consumption of fruit per week of 3.31 (3 times/week) ± 2.31. Vegetables are consumed by 95.0% of subjects with an average frequency of vegetables consumption per week of 1.83 (2 times/week) ± 1.2. That consumption is not enough and should be further encouraged through awareness campaigns.
The prevalence of physical inactivity in the study population was 95.0% (n = 228). It was 98.1% in women versus 88.5%. This high prevalence of inactivity was also found in Cotonou by Kerekou A. et al. in 2011 [
This study was limited in Porto-Novo and in view of these results, it is important that it be done at national level.
Diabetes mellitus, whose prevalence is steadily increasing, is not yet well known in our very inactive population. It is therefore imperative to intensify sensitization and campaigns actions to slow the progression of the disease, which is globally a public health issue now.
Finangnon Armand Wanvoegbe,Kouessi Anthelme Agbodandé,Arnaulde Amoussou-Guenou Fandi,Marius Boko,Adébayo Alassani,Annelie Kerekou,Daniel Amoussou-Guenou, (2016) Evaluation of the Knowledge and Practice about Diabetes Mellitus of Adult Population in Porto Novo (Benin). Journal of Diabetes Mellitus,06,204-207. doi: 10.4236/jdm.2016.63023