Progression Of Type Two Diabetes Among the Aged in Agincourt Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND Diabetes Mellitus, including Type 2, is of global concern, particularly among aging populations in rural South Africa. T2DM is prevalent among the elderly, yet research on its progression in Agincourt. This study aimed to assess T2DM progression among South Africa's elderly over eight years, using data from the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal study of INDEPTH (HAALSI). METHODS The study utilized a quantitative, cross-sectional design within the HAALSI study, a retrospective longitudinal cohort study, to assess type two diabetes progression among the elderly in rural Agincourt, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. It employed surveys and structured questionnaires to collect data on demographics, health conditions, lifestyle, and healthcare utilization. RESULTS The prevalence of diabetes increased from 8.02% in Wave 1 to 11.49% in Wave 2. In Wave 1, the majority of participants were in the 50-69 age groups, with significant representation from those aged 70 and above. Also, about 90% of the people who did not have Diabetes at baseline progressed to have it at the end of the follow up stage. CONCLUSION This study reveals a concerning escalation in diabetes prevalence among the elderly in rural Agincourt, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, over eight years. Factors such as age, marital status, and employment correlate with diabetes prevalence, alongside health indicators like waist circumference and body mass index. Lifestyle factors including diet, smoking, and alcohol intake also influence prevalence, necessitating targeted interventions to address these contributors.