Socio-demographic and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Diabetic Nephropathy among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ghana
Sr No:
Page No:
62-75
Language:
English
Authors:
Aquel Rene Lopez, Otiwaa Abena Agyeman-Duah Tuffour
Received:
2025-12-13
Accepted:
2026-01-16
Published Date:
2026-01-23
Abstract:
Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major microvascular complication of Type 2
Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and a leading contributor to chronic kidney disease and end-stage
renal disease worldwide. In Ghana, limited routine screening and delayed diagnosis may
increase the burden of DN and worsen outcomes. This study assessed the prevalence of DN and
examined socio-demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and dietary factors associated with DN among
adults with T2DM.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 201 adults with confirmed
T2DM attending the Diabetic Unit of Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Hospital, Akuapem North
Municipality, Ghana. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected using a structured intervieweradministered questionnaire, while relevant clinical information was obtained from medical
records. Diabetic nephropathy was assessed using urine albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) and
classification of severity. Associations between DN and explanatory variables were examined
using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy among participants was 33%. The study
population was predominantly female (87.6%) and older adults (≥60 years: 66.2%). Sociodemographic analysis showed that occupation was significantly associated with DN (p = 0.044),
while age (p = 0.073) and gender (p = 0.058) demonstrated borderline associations. Lifestyle and
clinical factors revealed that monthly exercise was significantly associated with DN (p = 0.040).
Other factors such as salt intake, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, duration of
diabetes, hypertension status, medication knowledge, and family history of diabetes or
hypertension were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Hypertension prevalence among
participants was high (89.6%).
Conclusion: Diabetic nephropathy was common among adults with T2DM in this Ghanaian
clinic population. Occupation and physical activity were significant predictors of DN, indicating
that both socioeconomic and lifestyle factors contribute to renal complications in diabetes.
Routine DN screening and targeted lifestyle interventions—particularly physical activity
promotion—should be strengthened in diabetes care to reduce disease progression and improve
patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Diabetic nephropathy, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, lifestyle factors, sociodemographic predictors; Ghana.