Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Complications of Diabetes in Patients Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Dschang Health District

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease, affecting 90% of people living with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the world. Over time, 30–70% of these patients develop chronic complications. The determinants of these complications are, however, poorly known. This study aimed at determining the distribution of chronic complications in the Dschang Health District (DHD), and the need for interventions in order to reduce the incidence of these complications in patients living with T2DM. Methods We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study in three reference hospitals of the DHD with two main parts: a descriptive part targeting people living with T2DM and an analytical case-control part. Cases were people with a confirmed documented diagnosis of T2DM presenting at least one documented chronic diabetes mellitus-related complication, and controls were people with a confirmed documented diagnosis of T2DM without any documented chronic diabetes mellitus-related complication. Data was collected through a face-to-face interview using a pre-designed questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, diabetes knowledge and practices, and perceptions of care. A multivariate logistic regression was performed, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results We enrolled 212 participants (145 females), with a mean (SD) age of 66 years (± 12.7). Among them, 83 (39.1%) presented at least one documented chronic complication. A longer duration from diagnosis of T2DM was associated with the presence of chronic complications in patients living with T2DM (OR = 2.7 [95% CI 1.2–6.2], p  = 0.03). Having less than 2 visits in the hospital per month (OR = 3.9 [95% CI 1.3–10.8], p  = 0.01), meeting a health care provider less than 12 times a year (OR = 2.1 [95% CI 1.06–4.3], p  = 0.03), not trusting the health care provider (OR = 2.2 [95% CI 1.1–4.8], p  = 0.03), and having only one chronic complication (OR = 5.3 [95% CI 2.5–11.3], p  = 0.001) increases the chances of having a chronic complication due to T2DM. Nevertheless, having met a diabetologist (OR = 0.46 [95% CI 0.2–0.98], p  = 0.04) and having less access to screening for chronic complications (OR = 0.18 [95% CI 0.078–0.42], p  = 0.001) Conclusion Four out of ten diabetic patients in the Dschang Health District have at least one chronic complication. Results encouraged regular screening for chronic complications, and follow up of patients living with T2DM by a diabetologist, which are the main determinants of these complications in patients living with T2DM in the DHD. However, our findings still encourage access to education on T2DM and its chronic complications.