Risk factors associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Kibuye Referral Hospital, Rwanda- A case control study.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasing globally, being among the leading cause of premature mortality. If no bold actions are taken, nine in ten persons diagnosed with diabetes will have T2DM by 2025. Objectives: This study aims at assessing socio-demographic characteristics and identify lifestyle factors associated with T2DM at Kibuye Referral Hospital. Methods: Hospital-based case control study design was used. Food frequency, and global physical activity questionnaires adapted from WHO were used. SPSS v 23 was used for all research analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical variables with help of frequencies and percentages. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with T2DM by computing odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression models using multivariate analysis with a significance level of 5% was used to establish the independent risk factors of T2DM by controlling the confounding variables. Results: Smoking, level of physical activity, low level of dietary diversity were associated with T2DM. The likelihood of developing T2DM among smokers was about 9 times more [AOR= 8.9; 95%CI=2.84-27.86; p<0.001] compared to non- smokers. Respondents with low level of physical activities were 8.1 times more likely to get T2DM than those with high or moderate physical activities [AOR= 8.1; 95%CI= 2.90-22.79; p<0.001]. Similarly, respondents with low level of dietary diversity score were 6 times more likely to developT2DM [AOR= 6.03; 95%CI= 1.67-21.80; p=0.006] compared to those with high level of dietary diversity score. Conclusion: Lifestyle factors that showed strong association with T2DM can all be modified by public health interventions that are promoting physical activity, healthy lifestyle, and dietary diversity.