Prevalence and Determinants of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes Among Adults in a Rural Region in India: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectiveDiabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-diabetes are growing public health concerns in rural Indian communities.Local occupational patterns, dietary habits, and socioeconomic factors often shape dysglycemia risk profiles in these areas.Consequently, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes and identify the key sociodemographic, behavioral, and anthropometric determinants of these conditions among adults in the rural setting of Andhra Pradesh.The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes among adults aged 35 years and above and to determine the sociodemographic, behavioral, and anthropometric factors associated with these conditions. MethodsThis community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2021 and February 2022 among 450 adults aged 35 years and above in rural Kuppam Mandal.A multistage sampling strategy was employed, with nine village clusters selected through simple random sampling and 50 households per cluster selected using systematic random sampling.We measured fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and categorized them according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria.We collected data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, family history, and anthropometric measurements using structured interviews and standardized physical examinations.Bivariate chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent determinants of dysglycemia, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe overall prevalence of hyperglycemic status was 39.8%, including 20.7% diabetes and 19.1% pre-diabetes.Significant independent associated factors included age ≥ 50 years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.4), higher socioeconomic status (SES) (AOR = 1.6), positive family history of diabetes (AOR = 2.1), alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.2), BMI > 25 kg/m² (AOR = 2.4), and comorbidities (AOR = 3.2). ConclusionsWe found a substantial burden of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the rural setting, with a significant association with age, alcohol consumption, and the presence of comorbidities, highlighting the vital role of public health professionals and policymakers in implementing targeted interventions for better health outcomes.