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

Abstract

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.