Diabetes Screening, diagnosis, and healthcare service indicators in Chingeltei district, Mongolia

Abstract

Background: Evaluating diabetes screening coverage, newly diagnosed cases, and regular follow-up indicators is essential for improving diabetes care. However, comparative studies assessing these indicators at the district level in Mongolia remain limited. Aim: To evaluate diabetes screening coverage, the detection of newly diagnosed diabetes, and the distribution of specialist consultations in Chingeltei District, Mongolia, and to assess the current status of diabetes care. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using aggregated healthcare statistics from Chingeltei District for 2024, 2025, and the first half of 2026. Data were collected on diabetes screening coverage, newly diagnosed cases per 1,000 individuals screened, the distribution of specialist consultations, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnostic codes from 2,448 diabetes-related consultations recorded in 2025. Results: Diabetes screening coverage increased from 68.6% (39,677/57,856) in 2024 to 72.7% (41,953/57,690) in 2025. Coverage was 43.1% during the first half of 2026. The number of newly diagnosed diabetes cases increased from 32 in 2024 to 95 in 2025, corresponding to an increase in the detection rate from 0.81 to 2.26 cases per 1,000 individuals screened (risk ratio [RR]=2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.88–4.19). The total numbers of diabetes-related specialist consultations were 9,000 in 2024, 9,127 in 2025, and 7,633 during the first half of 2026. The proportions of consultations classified as active follow-up visits were 35.3%, 54.1%, and 47.9%, respectively. Among 2,448 consultations recorded in 2025, 74.0% were coded as diabetes without complications, whereas 26.0% were coded as diabetes with complications or unspecified complications. Conclusions: 1. Although diabetes screening coverage and the number of newly diagnosed cases increased in Chingeltei District from 2024 to 2025, the detection rate per 1,000 people remained low, and diagnostic confirmation was relatively limited. 2. There is a need to improve the accuracy of diagnostic confirmation in the diabetes registry, particularly the coding of diabetic complications.