Early detection of risky individuals is the first step in formulating effective programs to reduce the risk of progression and reducing the burden of any chronic disease specially diabetes. Averting diabetes offers not only opportunity to decrease incidence of the disease itself but also to curb down incidence of cardiovascular disease which is known to cause premature death and chronic disability. Recently, the occurrence of Diabetes has been observed to increase in rural areas in some parts of India. With these, a descriptive cross-sectional study was done to determine the prevalence of Pre-diabetes and Diabetes mellitus among adults whose FINDRISC scores were seven and higher (slightly elevated, moderate, high and very high categories) using Fasting Blood Sugar in selected rural communities of Molave, Zamboanga Del Sur. A total of eight (8) barangays were selected in which 260 individuals were chosen as respondents of this study. FINDRISC screening tool was used in screening the level of risk in developing diabetes and physical measurements such as height, weight and blood pressure were taken. Out of 260 respondents, 130 respondents were categorized as slightly elevated, moderate, high and very high risk. Of the 130, Prevalence of Pre-diabetes and Diabetes mellitus were 25.39%and 16.15% respectively. Prevalence for Pre-diabetes and Diabetes appears to be highest among women,4th to 5th decade of life, males with more than 94 cm waist circumference, BP of <140/80 mmHg, and with no smoking history. Obesity was common among respondents with pre-diabetes than with diabetes mellitus. Both groups reported active physical activity. Furthermore, the risk of developing Pre-diabetes and Diabetes is 1.77 and 3.14 or three times likely among those who had a FINDRISC score of 12-14 (moderate risk). With this finding, the FINDRISC screening tool can be a useful tool for identifying and monitoring high risk individuals of developing DM and pre-diabetic states in the rural communities.

Keyword: Prevalence and risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes mellitus Adults with seven and higher Findrisc score