ORIGINAL ARTICLE Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Southern Cross River: a cross-sectional observational survey Akaninyene Otu 1,2 & Margaret Akpan 3 & Emmanuel Effa 1 & Victor Umoh 4 & Ofem Enang 1 Received: 22 August 2017 /Accepted: 2 January 2018 # Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India 2018 Abstract The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 1.6 million (1 in 53) Nigerian adults have diabetes mellitus while 60.7% (949,900) of Nigerian adults with diabetes are undiagnosed. In spite of these worrying projections, current nationwide data on diabetes prevalence to aid policy formulation in Nigeria is non-existent. This was a cross-sectional observational study that recruited 1200 adults residing in the Southern Cross River State. Glucometers were used to measure the fasting capillary glucose of participants, and those with readings ≥ 7 mmol/l were asked to come back the following day for another fasting blood glucose check for confirmation. Those who had two fasting blood glucose readings consistently ≥ 7 mmol/l were classed as having diabetes mellitus and referred to the nearest hospital for further evaluation and management. Blood pressure and waist circum- ference were also measured. There were 683 (56.9%) females and the mean age of the participants was 41.3 ± 15.3. Using body mass index (BMI), 159 (13.3%) participants were found to be obese. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus among the tested participants was 6.9%. Univariate analysis was carried out to identify associations with diabetes among the participants. Statistically significant associations were identified between blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg (p = 0.013), local government area (p = 0.001), level of education (p = 0.002), and diabetes. The diabetes mellitus prevalence of 6.9% in this community is much higher than internationally reported estimates for Nigeria and makes a compelling case for further epidemiological studies on diabetes in Nigeria and prioritisation of this disease by health policy makers. Keywords Diabetes mellitus . Cross River . Nigeria . Fasting glucose Introduction Diabetes mellitus is a chronic debilitating disease characterised by hyperglycemia that accounts for significant morbidity and mortality the world over. The International Federation for Diabetes (IDF) estimates that globally, 415 million adults are suffering from diabetes (one in 11 adults) and this figure is projected to rise to around 642 million by 2040 [1]. Between 1980 and 2016, the World Health Organization reports that the global rates of adults living with diabetes have almost quadrupled [2]. This rise in cases of diabetes has been attributed to population growth, increasing life expectancy, urbanisation, and the increas- ing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity [3]. The African region appears to be worse hit with an estimated 14.2 million adults aged 20–79 suffering from diabetes [1]. It is particularly concerning that over two thirds (66.7%) of people with diabetes in Africa are unaware they have the disease [ 1]. Nigeria reportedly has Africa’ s highest burden of diabetes [4]. The IDF estimates that 1.6 million (1 in 53) Nigerian adults have diabetes while 60.7% (949,900) of Nigerian adults with diabetes are undiagnosed [1]. Diabetes is also estimated to account for 3.5–15% of medical admissions in most hospitals in Nigeria [5]. In spite of these worrying projections, information on diabetes for policy formulation in Nigeria can be described as fragmentary at best [6]. The last nationwide epidemiological survey on dia- betes in Nigeria in 1997 reported a diabetes prevalence of 2.2% [7]. However, in the face of the epidemiological transition, this is * Akaninyene Otu akanotu@yahoo.com 1 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 2 National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 9LT, UK 3 Department of Nursing, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 4 Department of Medicine, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-018-0606-5