Objectives

To compare risk factors associated with diabetes mellitus in indigenous communities in four countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile), in the period 2010-2020.

Methods

The collection of information was carried out through consultation in different databases such as: SciELO, PubMed, Dialnet, LILACS, in Spanish, Portuguese and English; the selection of documents was carried out through a systematization matrix and the use of pre-established criteria.

Results

It was highlighted as personal factors to be an older adult, female sex, low level of schooling and unhealthy eating habits; within the cultural aspects the low adherence to conventional treatments and consumption of herbs and medicinal plants; regarding social aspects, migration, poor accessibility to health services and the lack of professionals who know cultural codes were related.

Conclusion

Each country has a predilection for a specific factor, however, there are similarities in terms of personal characteristics, nutritional habits, and cultural factors; the conjugation of these allows the disease to have a higher incidence in some countries compared to others; in addition, there is a significant change in factors that include aspects of the environment.