Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, Associated Risk Factors, Complications, and Preventive Awareness among Adults in Chattogram, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a rapidly growing global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, associated risk factors, complications, and preventive awareness among adults in Chattogram, Bangladesh. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2025 in the Chawkbazar area of Chattogram. A total of 380 adults aged 18–60 years were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Descriptive statistics were applied. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 29.47% among the study population. Equal distribution was observed between males and females (14.72% each). Awareness of diabetes was high (96.58%), but regular monitoring was low (38.68%). Major recognized risk factors included obesity (87.37%), unhealthy diet (87.63%), and low physical activity (84.47%). Preventive knowledge was relatively high, particularly regarding diet control and physical activity (>88%). Awareness of complications such as cardiovascular disease (82.12%), vision loss (83.68%), and diabetic foot (82.89%) was also notable. The study reveals a high prevalence of diabetes in urban Chattogram, with good awareness but inadequate preventive practices. Targeted public health interventions focusing on lifestyle modification and routine screening are urgently needed.

Diabetes mellitus, prevalence, risk factors

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