Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence, Distribution and Risk Factors in St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes is a significant health concern and the second leading cause of death in St. Kitts & Nevis.
• The Ministry of Health (MOH) sought to understand the local prevalence and risk factors of type 2 diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in St. Kitts & Nevis.
• To identify risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes in the adult population.
• To evaluate the accuracy of historical assumptions regarding gender and diabetes risk.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical records from 2737 patients aged 18-75 treated between 2010 and 2015 in government-funded health centers.
• Evaluation of 4169 patient visits from a representative sample of 761 patients.
• Application of Caribbean Public Health Association (CARPHA) guidelines for risk assessment.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of type 2 diabetes was found to be 23%, with the highest concentration in the 45-64 year-old age group.
• Gender-specific prevalence rates were similar between men (22%) and women (23%), despite women outnumbering men in the sample.
• A high prevalence of comorbidities (76%) was observed among diabetic patients, and 20% of non-diabetic individuals were identified as being at risk for diabetes.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the significant local risk posed by type 2 diabetes.
• Findings challenge the long-held assumption that women are at a greater risk of developing diabetes compared to men.
• The high prevalence of comorbidities and individuals at risk underscores the need for targeted public health interventions.