Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Care Settings in Low-Income Countries: An In-Depth Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus, a leading cause of premature death, disability, and financial strain on healthcare systems, is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease worldwide. Effective primary management of diabetes focuses on maintaining glycemic control to reduce complications and mortality. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review analyzed English-language literature published between 2014 and 2024. Only articles with a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) from recognized sources like ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SagePub were included, excluding editorials and review articles from the same journal as the submission. Result: The review encompassed over 2,000 publications from established platforms including ScienceDirect, SagePub, and PubMed. After a detailed assessment, eight publications were selected for further analysis. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is notably higher in low-income countries compared to other regions, primarily due to factors such as older age, high waist-to-hip ratio, family history, and poor diet. There is a significant gap in diabetes care, with 77% of individuals not receiving the necessary treatment, particularly in primary care settings. Addressing this issue requires policy changes and increased awareness to combat the global diabetes crisis.