Abstract:
Background: Anemia is considered to be an important cardiovascular risk factor associated with
diabetes and renal disease and also has a negative impact on the survival of patients with diabetes.
The co-existence of anemia and diabetes is being increasingly explored as it has a major impact
on the overall health status of the patients. However, there is shortage of evidence on the
prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among type II diabetic patients, particularly in the
Harari region.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of anemia and associated factors among type-II diabetes
mellitus patients attending Harari Region Public Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted from February 25-March 30, 2019
among 410 type II diabetes mellitus patients. Simple random sampling technique was used to select
the study participants. Two or three drops of blood from non-dominant ring fingers was collected
from the respondents for hemoglobin determination and measured anthropometry of the patients.
In addition, socio-demographic and dietary data were collected from each participants. The data
were double entered using Epi data version 3.1 statistical software and then exported to Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23 for analysis. Multi-collinearity between independent
variables and model goodness fit test was checked. The degree of association between independent
and dependent variables was assessed using bivariable and multivariable logistic regression
analysis Odds ratio along with 95% confidence interval. Level of statistical significance was
declared at p value less than 0.05.
Result: Out of the total 374 type II diabetes mellitus patients included in the study 130 [34.8%, 95%CI:
28.7, 40.9)] were anemic. Being female [AOR=0.28, 95%CI: (0.12, 12.65)], current smoker
[AOR=3.34, 95%CI: (1.21, 9.23)], physical inactivity [AOR=3.92,95%CI: (1.86-8.28)], diabetic
nephropathy [AOR=2.48, 95%CI: (1.2-5.08)], being HIV positive [AOR=3.52, 95%CI: (1.21, 12.24)],
poor glycemic control [AOR=2.48, 95%CI: (1.2, 5.08)] and duration of type II diabetes mellitus >
5years [AOR=2.7, 95%CI: (1.2, 6.02)] were significantly associated with anemia.
Conclusion: This study showed that anemia is a common accompaniment with type II diabetes
mellitus. Therefore, routine screening for anemia in all type II diabetic patients may aid early
identification and correction as appropriate and further studies to know the possible etiology.
