Introduction: India leads the world with largest number of diabetic subjects earning the dubious distinction of being termed the “diabetes capital of the world”. According to the Diabetes Atlas 2006 published by the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people with diabetes in India is currently around 40.9 million and is expected to rise to 69.9 million by 2025 unless urgent preventive steps are taken. Very high levels of diabetes have been reported in urban areas of India, but few data are available for rural regions where >70% of the population lives. Methods: The present cross sectional study was conducted in Vantamuri Primary Health Centre (PHC), a field practice area of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, Karnataka during December 2011. The target population consisted of all people aged 40 years and above. Urine analysis for sugar was done by uristix method and individuals with positive urine test were subjected to blood sugar examination by glucometer. Results: Among the 2553 individuals surveyed, 851 were males and 1702 were females. 151 were diagnosed to have diabetes by blood glucose levels, out of which 62 (41.1%) were males and 89 (58.9%) were females. Hence the overall prevalence of diabetes was 5.91% (151), the prevalence in males being 7.28% and in females 5.22%. Age, BMI, hypertension and family history were found to be significantly associated with diabetes. Conclusion: Diabetes in rural areas needs special attention. Focus on health education related to diabetes and other NCD is the need of the hour in rural areas.

Keywords: Diabetes; Adults; Rural community.