Hidden Burden of Diabetes Risk Among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Hospital
https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.041.S1
- Author:
Hui Soon Lim
1
;
Ee Wen Loh
1
;
Sing Yee Sim
2
;
Pei Lin Chan
1
;
Florence Hui Sieng Tan
1
Author Information
1. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital
2. Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, Sarawak General Hospital;Universiti Malaya Sarawak (UNIMAS)
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Tertiary Care Centers;
Health Personnel;
Diabetes Mellitus
- From:
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies
2026;41(S1):40-
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction:The increasing prevalence of diabetes represents a
significant global health challenge. Modifiable risk factors,
including physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, and obesity contribute substantially to this rising burden.
In conjunction with the 2025 World Diabetes Day (WDD)
campaign focusing on “diabetes and the workplace,” we
assessed diabetes risk among healthcare workers in our
hospital using the Modified Asian Finnish Diabetes Risk
Score (ModAsian FINDRISC).
Methodology:Healthcare workers from various departments were invited
to participate in the hospital WDD celebration. A total of
286 attendees underwent anthropometric measurements
and completed the ModAsian FINDSRIC questionnaire.
Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the
prevalence of risk factors and overall diabetes risk.
Results:The participants included doctors, nurses, allied healthcare
professionals, as well as hospital support and administrative
staff. The majority of participants (74.8%) were aged below
45 years. 39.2% were overweight while 30.8% were obese.
One-third (37.4%) had increased waist circumference
(WC) (≥90 cm for men, ≥80 cm for women). Additionally,
20% of respondents reported being on antihypertensive
medication, and 23.8% had previously recorded high blood
glucose. A family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) was
reported by 62.6% of respondents. Additionally, about onethird were sedentary with less than 30 minutes of daily
exercise or physical activity, another one-third did not
consume fruits or vegetables on a daily basis. The median
ModAsian FINDRISC score was 8, with approximately
30% of them classified as having moderate to very high
risk of developing DM (moderate: 17.5%; high: 10.8%; very
high: 2.8%).
Conclusion:These results revealed high metabolic risk in healthcare
workers and highlight the need for targeted workplace
health promotion strategies to reduce the risk of developing
diabetes.
- Full text:2026072916332834357EP_A039.pdf
