ISSN 1576-3420
Global Journal of Endocrinology and Diabetes Vol. 8 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Trends in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Arabs in Israel: A community health survey
Rajech Sharkia1,2*, Muhammad Mahajnah3,4, Ahmad Sheikh-Muhammad5, Mohammad Khatib5 and Abdelnaser Zalan1
1The Triangle Regional Research and Development Center, Kfar-Qari', Israel
2Beit-Berl Academic College, Beit-Berl 44905, Israel
3Child Neurology and Development Center, Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel
4Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
5The Galilee Society-The Arabs National Society for Research and Health Services, Shefa-Amr, Israel
Accepted 05 October, 2022
Abstract
In recent years, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had become a worrying pandemic disease. Its prevalence was increasing in almost all societies worldwide, particularly in Arab populations. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence and trend of T2DM, during two successive periods of time, among Arab population in Israel, in relation to various sociodemographic variables. Data were collected from cross-sectional surveys during two periods (2005 and 2015). Databases were created and statistical analysis was carried out. Our results indicated that the incidence rate of T2DM was increasing significantly from 11.3% to 17.7% (p<0.05) during the periods surveyed, with a progressive increase with age in both genders. The high incidence rate among females in the first period was reversed to males during the second period. We conclude that recent changes in socioeconomic status and lifestyle in our community could be responsible for the increased occurrence of T2DM. Therefore, it is recommended to implement an intervention program for a systemic decrease in this alarming trend.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Arab in Israel, Prevalence, Lifestyle