Spatial data analysis and geodemographics for the prevalence of diabetes among adult population in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, like most of the developing countries, is experiencing quite a substantial increase in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, such as diabetes. For both men and women, the prevalence of diabetes has been increasing in recent decades. The objective of this study is to determine if there are statistically significant geospatial inconsistencies in the prevalence of diabetes. Cross-sectional and spatial analysis was concluded using data on 12100 adults aged 18 years and older from the most recent Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18. The prevalence of diabetes is analyzed and visualized. Spatial autocorrelation was identified using Moran’s I. Hotspot analysis was also done using Moran’s I. The prevalence of diabetes is higher in men (10.52%) than women (9.50%); however, there are more diabetic women than men in the sample population. Among diabetic men and women, 37.11% (95% CI, 32.04-42.48) and 39.71% (95% CI, 35.47-44.12) respectively, are aware of their condition. Among them 33.29% men and 36.44% women are being treated for it. People living in Dhaka division (men: 15.62%, women: 13.31%) are more affected by diabetes than people living in other divisions. Increasing age, living in the highest wealth quintile, and being overweight or obese are positively associated with the increasing prevalence of diabetes. There also exists positive spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I = 0.215, p=0.001). According to the Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) cluster map, the hotspots are Dhaka and the central districts (10 districts), and the cold spots are the central of northside districts (7 districts). The findings demonstrate the added value of spatial analysis in healthcare system. And this research could help policymakers and healthcare organizations to plan and implement policies with the aim of attenuating the prevalence and risk of diabetes in Bangladesh.