Diabetes management cascade in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Non-communicable Diseases

Background:

• Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance pose a significant public health challenge globally and in Mongolia.
• Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in Ulaanbaatar's adult population.
• To identify gaps in diabetes clinical care, including awareness, treatment, and control.
• To examine trends in diabetes risk factors in the region.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2018 involving a representative sample of 2,169 adults (≥20 years) from 9 districts in Ulaanbaatar.
• Data collection utilized the Mongolian version of the World Health Organization's STEPS instrument for non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance.
• Physical measurements and risk factor data were systematically gathered.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 20 and above was 6.27%.
• Diabetes prevalence was higher in men (7.5%) than in women (5.3%).
• Among individuals with diabetes, a significant proportion were unaware (48.5%), untreated (15.4%), or had uncontrolled diabetes despite treatment (30.2%), with only 5.9% achieving glycemic control.

Conclusions:

• Low awareness and poor care-seeking behaviors, especially among younger men, represent major obstacles to diabetes control in Ulaanbaatar.
• These findings underscore systemic and social challenges impacting diabetes management in Mongolia.
• Further research is recommended to investigate barriers and identify opportunities for improving diabetes awareness and care.