Coexistence of Chronic Complications among Diabetic Patients at Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital, Hossana, South Ethiopia

Background: Chronic complications reduce quality of life, increases diabetes related mortality and overburden the public health services. This study aims to assess the prevalence of chronic complications and its associated factors among diabetic patients at Nigist Eleni Mohammed Memorial Hospital, Hossana, South Ethiopia. Method and Materials: We conducted a hospital based cross-sectional study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 266 participants from the follow up clinic of the hospital. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire, weight, height, waist and hip circumference measurements and patients chart review. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the study variable. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with chronic diabetic complications. Result: Out of 247 diabetic subjects, 114 (46.2%) were found to have at least one chronic complication that included, hypertension 59 (23.9%), diabetes related eye disease 29 (11.7%), neuropathy 25 (10.1%) and nephropathy 16 (6.5%). Compared to age group 15 - 29 there was higher risk of chronic complications for those who were in age groups 45 - 64, [AOR = 2.50, (95% CI): (1.20, 5.22)] and ≥65 years, [AOR = 7.18, (95% CI): (2.10, 24.87)]. Duration of diabetes > 10 years [AOR = 2.87, (95% CI): (1.20, 6.88)], and not performing self-monitoring of blood glucose, [AOR = 15.22, (95% CI): (3.07, 75.48)] were also strongly associated with chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion and Recommendation: Considerable number of diabetic participants in this study area had at least one chronic complication. Attention should be given to older diabetic patients and longer diabetic duration. Diabetic education should focus on health benefit of self-monitoring of blood glucose.