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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Seasonality in diabetes in Yaounde, Cameroon: a relation with precipitation and temperature

Authors: Eric Lontchi-Yimagou, Maurice Tsalefac, Leonelle Monique Teuwa Tapinmene, Jean Jacques N. Noubiap, Eric Vounsia Balti, Jean-Louis Nguewa, Mesmin Dehayem, Eugene Sobngwi

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Diabetes is a growing health concern in developing countries, with Cameroon population having an estimated 6% affected. Of note, hospital attendees appear to be increasing all over the country, with fluctuating numbers throughout the annual calendar. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between diabete hospitalization admission rates and climate variations in Yaounde.

Methods

A retrospectively designed study was conducted in four health facilities of Yaounde (Central Hospital, University teaching hospital, Biyem-Assi and Djoungolo District Hospitals), using medical records from 2000 to 2008. A relationship between diabetes (newly diagnosed diabetes patients or decompensated diabetics) hospitalization admissions and climate variations was determined using the “2000–2008” national meteorological database (precipitation and temperature).

Results

The monthly medians of precipitation and temperature were 154mm and 25 °C, respectively. The month of October received 239mm of precipitation. The monthly medians of diabetic admissions rates (newly diagnosed or decompensated diabetes patients) were 262 and 72 respectively. October received 366 newly diagnosed diabetics and 99 decompensated diabetics. Interestingly, diabetic hospitalization admissions rates were higher during the rainy (51 %, 1633/3232) than the dry season, though the difference was non-significant. The wettest month (October) reported the highest cases (10 %, 336/3232) corresponding to the month with the highest precipitation level (239mm). Diabetes hospitalization admissions rates varied across health facilities [from 6 % (189/3232) in 2000 to 15 % (474/3232) in 2008].

Conclusion

Diabetes is an important epidemiological disease in the city of Yaounde. The variation in the prevalence of diabetes is almost superimposed to that of precipitation; and the prevalence seems increasing during raining seasons in Yaoundé.
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Metadata
Title
Seasonality in diabetes in Yaounde, Cameroon: a relation with precipitation and temperature
Authors
Eric Lontchi-Yimagou
Maurice Tsalefac
Leonelle Monique Teuwa Tapinmene
Jean Jacques N. Noubiap
Eric Vounsia Balti
Jean-Louis Nguewa
Mesmin Dehayem
Eugene Sobngwi
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3090-1

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