Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes and to determine potential associated
risk factors of the disease in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Research design and methods: Five hundred and two (502) subjects
aged above 40 years, obtained by a two-stage cluster sampling technique participated in this survey. Casual (random)
plasma glucose estimations were done for all subjects after relevant personal data were obtained. Subjects with casual
plasma glucose (CPG) ]/7.0 mmol/l had oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) done. Fasting and 2 h post glucose load
blood samples were analyzed for plasma glucose levels. Results: Thirty-four (34) subjects had diabetes, giving a crude
prevalence rate of 6.8% (CI/4.6/9.0%), and standardized rate of 7.9%. The crude prevalence rates were 7.7 and 5.7%
for males and females, respectively. Of the 34 diabetic subjects seen, 14 (41.2%) of them were not previously known to
have diabetes; 83.7% of these were asymptomatic. Body mass index (BMI) ]/25 kg/m2 and WHR]/0.85, family history
of diabetes, physical inactivity, heavy consumption of alcohol, older age as well as high social status and Hausa/Fulani
or Ibibio origin were associated with significantly higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The prevalence of
type 2 diabetes in Port Harcourt is relatively high. Changing lifestyle associated with industrialization may explain this.
A significant proportion of the diabetic subjects are asymptomatic and undiagnosed. The risk factors as shown in our
study clearly emphasize the point that type 2 diabetes is to a large extent a preventable disease.
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