Luke Dindo
Research Mentor(s): Sela Panapasa
Mentor Department: Institute for Social Research
Authors: , Sela Panapasa, Sela Panapasa, Luke Dindo
Session: Session 5 (2:00pm – 2:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 88
Abstract
Diabetes causes significant morbidity, representing a major public health problem disproportionately impacting people in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). Although diabetes prevalence estimates are available at global, regional, and national levels, detailed information on PICT ethnicities and smaller administrative boundaries is sparse. The purpose of this study is to estimate the total prevalence of self-reported, physician-diagnosed (diagnosed) diabetes and assess associated risk factors among iTaukei and Rotuman adults aged = 20 years in villages across 14 Fiji provinces and Rotuma Island to support primary care planning and delivery. We used cross-sectional data from the 2023-24 iTaukei and Rotuma Village Profile Study (iTRVPS), N=8,775 to estimate and examine the unadjusted prevalence and age-standardized prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among study respondents who reported having a noncommunicable disease, specifically diabetes diagnosis. iTaukei with the lowest prevalences were found in Ba (19%), Bua (21%), and Tailevu (21%), with the highest prevalence found in Lau (80%) followed by Namosi (42%). The remaining provinces ranged between 25% and 37%. Examining the prevalence of diabetes by risk factors, the prevalence was highest among persons aged 60+ years, iTaukei (12%), and Rotumans (32%). The risk was also highest among females and those with a high school education, iTaukei (11%), and Rotumans (24%). This project is the first to provide provincial-specific estimates of the prevalence of self-reported diabetes diagnoses among iTaukeis and Rotumans in Fiji and Rotuma. Our results show significant differences in diabetes prevalence between provinces and the distribution of risk factors. Evidence-based lifestyle interventions, including culturally tailored programs for diabetes prevention, self-management and education, are urgently needed to mitigate this rapidly increasing epidemic. Further research is needed to better understand the root cause and develop solutions for diabetes in Fiji.
