Abstract

Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus poses a significant public health challenge in Iraq, particularly in urban areas like Mosul. Understanding the demographic, lifestyle, and clinical profiles of diabetic patients is essential for targeted interventions. This study assessed the demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and clinical profiles of diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers in Mosul.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 diabetic patients randomly selected from four primary healthcare centers in Mosul. Data were collected via structured questionnaires covering demographics, lifestyle habits (smoking, diet, physical activity), and clinical history (diabetes type, duration, complications). Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 48.96 (±14.42) years, with equal gender distribution. Most were married (69%), had primary-level education (44%), and resided in urban areas (68%). Lifestyle factors revealed alarming trends: 76% were physically inactive, 44% followed irregular diets, and 34% were underweight. Clinically, 88% had type 2 diabetes, with complications including retinopathy (27%), neuropathy (25%), and cardiovascular disease (26%).

Conclusion: The study highlights critical gaps in lifestyle management and high complication rates among diabetic patients in Mosul, underscoring the need for enhanced primary care interventions.