Analysis of Risk Factors on Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus among individuals: Evidence from Malaysia

This paper examines risk factors which include modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in the prediction of undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus among Malaysians by using binary logistic regression approach with the estimation of odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. This study uses secondary data from the cross-sectional population-based survey : The Fourth National Health and Morbidity Survey(2011) which was conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2011. The sample consists of 17602participants. The results demonstrate obese, overweight, physically inactive respondents and current drinkers are statistically significant predictors for undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus. Specifically, younger aged, widow/widower/divorced, female, other Bumiputra, Indians, Chinese, private employees, retiree sand lower educated respondents are found statistically significant in affecting the likelihood of having undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia. Thus, through the findings of this study, promotion of healthy lifestyle and intervention programs by the government especially in younger aged group is an urgent need to monitor and control the prevalence of undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus among Malaysians.