PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice and impact of socioeconomic factors upon the prevalence of pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension and disability amongst a large adult population in rural Bangladesh.
METHODS/DESIGN: A sample of 3104 adults aged ≥30 years were interviewed from a cluster sample of 18 villages in the Banshgram Union of the Narail District located 200 kilometers southwest of the capital city Dhaka, Bangladesh. Each participant was interivewed using a semi-structured questionnaire that assessed participant knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) regarding diabetes, its risk factors, complications and management. Data on demographic details, education, socioeconomic status, medical history, dietary and lifestyle behaviour was obtained. Fasting capillary glucose, blood pressure, presenting vision and anthropometric parameters were measured.
DISCUSSION: In Banshgram, over 95% people had not undergone any previous diabetes screening, and were unaware of their blood glucose level. Baseline demographics estimated the prevalence of known diabetes in the sample was 3.2% (n=99). 47% of participants had no formal education; and 91% of the participants were from a poor or medium socioeconomic background.
Whilst there is literature on the prevalence of diabetes in urban and semi-urban Bangladesh there is a paucity of evidence examining the impact of KAP of diabetes amongst the general community in rural and remote areas. We believe that the BPDES has developed a methodology to provide new evidence to guide health policy and targeted population-based interventions in these rural areas.