Diabetes mellitus in Bahrain: an overview

Abstract

Bahrain has faced a rapid transition in its socio-economic status, which resulted in great changes both in life-style and in patterns of health and disease. There has been a marked decline in infectious diseases and an increase in chronic diseases. Diabetes mellitus has become one of the most common public health problems in the country. In 1988 it was estimated that 3.4% of total deaths in Bahrain were due to diabetes. A community-based study among mothers aged 18 to 48 years showed that 8.5% of them had diabetes. The percentage was found to be higher among elderly Bahrainis (12.9%). Obesity, lack of physical activity, alteration in food habits, and change in social conditions have all played a vital role in the changing prevalence of diabetes in this country. The current programmes to manage and control diabetes are limited and ineffective. Thus measures to treat diabetes should be given a high priority in the national health policy. Training of physicians in the management of diabetes, public education, epidemiological surveys, and nutritional evaluation of local foods are among the most important measures needed to control diabetes in Bahrain.

PIP: Rapid socioeconomic development has led to great changes in health and disease patterns in Bahrain. Specifically, chronic diseases are replacing infectious diseases as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Diabetes mellitus is 1 chronic disease which causes considerable problems in Bahrain. It has a higher death rate than that of hypertension, but a lower death rate than that of cardiovascular diseases. Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes in Bahrain. Changes in dietary habits and lifestyle occur with rapid development in Bahrain, often resulting in obesity and decreased physical activity, particularly in women. Obesity and lack of physical exercise are risk factors of Type 2 diabetes. A community- based nutrition survey among 18-to-48 year-old mothers in Bahrain reports that 8.5% suffer from diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes among elderly Bahrainis is 13.4% (15% in females and 10.2% in males). Physicians in Bahrain tend not to list diabetes mellitus as the main cause of death; thus there is underreporting of diabetes-related mortality. Nevertheless, diabetes is responsible for 3.4% of all deaths in Bahrain. Yet, Bahrain does not have programs to detect or control diabetes. Health workers in health centers can and do provide advice on health care and dietary management, but they are not properly trained. Physicians manage diabetes through dietary restrictions, tablets, or insulin injections. Mass media promote prevention of diabetes. Their effectiveness is low, however, because educational programs are poorly designed and unattractive. The government should accord diabetes prevention and control high priority. It should support and implement training of physicians in diabetes management, public education, epidemiological surveys, and nutritional assessment of local foods.