Journal of Nursing Research Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a growing global public health issue, particularly in developing nations like Somalia. Localized data on its prevalence and risk factors in the Wadajir district of Mogadishu are limited.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 398 respondents using structured questionnaires, and qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with key informants. Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS version 20, using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data.

Results: Among 352 analyzed respondents, the overall diabetes prevalence was 25.3%. The majority were male (58.2%) and aged 38-47 years (40.3%). Diabetes risk showed significant associations with high consumption of fatty/sugary foods (p=0.008), low physical activity (p=0.015), sedentary lifestyle (p=0.004), and rare fruit/vegetable intake (p=0.002). Age ≥40 years (p=0.009) and family history of diabetes (p=0.003) were significant socio-demographic factors. Limited healthcare access, high treatment costs, and poor infrastructure were associated with higher reported diabetes prevalence and late diagnosis (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Diabetes in Wadajir district is influenced by lifestyle, socio-demographic factors, and healthcare access barriers. Interventions should focus on health education, promoting healthy lifestyles, improving affordable healthcare access, and supporting high-risk groups.