Abstract:
Background: Chronic complications reduce quality of life, increases diabetes related mortality
and overburden the public health services. In addition, it affects working age diabetics and then
contributes to poverty. This study assess the prevalence of chronic complications and its
associated factors among diabetic patients
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of chronic complications and
its associated factors among diabetic patients at Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital,
Hossana, South Ethiopia.
Method and materials: A Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted from October 7-
November 5/2013. A random sample of 266 diabetic patients was selected from the hospitals
registry. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and patients chart review. Data was
entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the
study variables. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression methods were used to
identify factors associated with chronic complications among diabetic patients. P-value < 0.05
with 95% CI was used to declare significant association.
Result: Out of 247 diabetic subjects, 114(46.2%) were found to have at least one chronic
complication that included, hypertension 59 (23.9%), diabetes related eye disease 29 (11.7%),
neuropathy 25 (10.1%) and nephropathy 16 (6.5%). Compared to age group 15-29 there was
higher risk of chronic complications for those who were in age groups 45-64, [AOR=2.50, (95%
CI): (1.20, 5.22)] and ≥65 years, [AOR=7.18, (95% CI): (2.10, 24.87)]. Duration of diabetes >10
years [AOR=2.87, (95% CI): (1.20, 6.88)], and not performing self-monitoring of blood glucose,
[AOR=15.22, (95% CI): (3.07, 75.48)] were also strongly associated with chronic complications
of diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion and recommendation: Considerable number of diabetic participants in this study
area had at least one chronic complication. Attention should be given to older diabetic patients
and longer diabetic duration. Diabetic education should focus on health benefit of selfmonitoring of blood glucose.
