Study of Modifiable Risk Factors of Chronic Diseases (hypertension and diabetes type 2) in the Province of Berkane: Eastern Region of Morocco

Background: The prevalence of mortality due to chronic diseases is quite high in Morocco (80%), where hypertension and type 2 diabetes are the tip of the iceberg. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic disease: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and the profile of modifiable risk factors in the eastern region of Morocco (Berkane). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adults (≥ 18 years) consulting at health centers in primary care facilities. It involved a total of 404 participants. The questionnaire used includes socio-demographic, clinical and biological information of the consultants, Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with chronic disease (CD). Results: The prevalence of T2DM was 21% and that of hypertension was 16.58%, undiagnosed T2DM constituted 12.12% and unknown hypertension 5.44%.The risk factors (RF) detected in the overall population were physical inactivity 74%, abdominal obesity 61%, sedentary lifestyle 57.42%, overweight 40%, peripheral obesity 31%, stress 47.27%, smoking 7% and alcohol use 3%. While the common RF incriminated in the pathogenesis of T2DM and hypertension were general overweight (p= 0.014) vs (p= 0.014), or visceral overweight (p= 0.016) vs (p= 0.0001). Conclusion: In the long term, diabetics and hypertensives are at risk of developing several complications that are detrimental to their health status and costly to the health system.