Geographical Analysis of Diabetes Patients in Iraq Excluding the Kurdistan Region for the Period (2019–2024)

Abstract

The study aims to identify the nature of the temporal and spatial variation of registered diabetes cases in Iraq by governorate for the period (2019–2024), relying on official data issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Health. The study adopted the descriptive-analytical approach and the quantitative-analytical method, utilizing statistical tools and applying measures of concentration, annual change, and prevalence and clinical burden coefficients. The study concluded that the numbers and percentages of individuals affected by diabetes were characterized by fluctuation and both temporal and spatial variation during the period (2019–2024). The highest volume and percentage of infections were recorded in the year 2024, with a total of (446,023) cases, accounting for (19.6%). Conversely, the year 2020 recorded the lowest volume of infections, with a total of (316,198) cases, representing (13.9%). Spatially, Ninawa and Baghdad governorates topped the list of governorates with the highest infection rates, while Al-Muthanna and Al-Qadisiyah recorded the lowest. The results also revealed a higher number of female infections compared to males in the year 2019, with a sex ratio of 91 males per 100 females. Meanwhile, the two sexes reached equality in the year 2024, with a sex ratio of (100) males per 100 females, along with a clear variation across the governorates. Furthermore, the trend of the annual change indicator for diabetes patients showed a decline, as it decreased from 14.6% in the year 2021 to 3% in the year 2023.