Prevalence of Macroalbuminuria and Associated Risk Factors Among Diabetic Patients in Moshi, Northern Tanzania

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) globally. Macroalbuminuria signals a critical stage in DN progression, often associated with poor glycemic control. However, data from sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of macroalbuminuria among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Northern Tanzania. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre among 119 T2DM patients. Macroalbuminuria was defined as proteinuria ≥ +1 on Multistix® dipstick. Clinical and biochemical data were collected and analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of macroalbuminuria was 16.8%. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations with male sex, longer diabetes duration, elevated creatinine and cholesterol, and high systolic blood pressure. However, no variable remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Macroalbuminuria is common in this population. Routine dipstick testing may help identify high-risk patients early and prevent progression to ESRD in resource-limited settings.