Background: In India, the population of elderly is predicted that it will be increased from 8% in 2015 to 19% in 2050. Geriatric population contributes around 9% of the total Odisha population and 86.3% of them reside in rural areas. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and find out its risk factors among rural geriatric population in Tigiria block of Odisha, India. Methods: This was a community-based study, cross-sectional in design among 725 rural geriatric populations of Odisha. Socio-demographic information was collected following the standard census of India operational definitions. Self-reported diabetes mellitus status was collected and classified as "present" or "absent". Statistical analysis was performed using "R version 4.0.4". Results: Among the total elderly, 88 (12.13%) participants were diagnosed with diabetes. Common factors found to be significant with diabetes were illiterates (AOR=0.32, CI=0.125-0.817), not working elderly (AOR=2.51, CI=1.103-5.723), high socioeconomic status (AOR=3.79, CI=1.351-10.632) and overweight elderly (AOR=2.19, CI=1.286-3.753) respectively. Conclusion: The frequency of diabetes mellitus among rural geriatric population is less but the risk is high among those not working, literate, with higher SES and overweight elderly group. The researcher should emphasize real-time diagnosis of blood sugar levels using standardized measures among the rural elderly population. Keywords: diabetes mellitus; geriatric population; rural; Odisha

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic accident is a major health problem worldwide. Driving is a visually intensive task which requires several sets of abilities which include sensory ability (mainly visual). In view of the importance of good vision in safe driving this study was conducted to assess the ocular status of inter-state commercial drivers in Berhampur Odisha. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over three months among inter-state truck drivers. All the respondents had their eyes examined. Their visual acuities and colour vision were assessed with the aid of Snellen’s chart and Ishihara pseudochromatic plates respectively. The data obtained was collated and analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0.1 statistical software. RESULTS: 195 truck drivers were included in this study. The duration of driving experience of the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents (38%) had more than 20 years driving experience. Few respondents (7.7%) used recommended glasses while majority (92.3%) did not use recommended glasses. Most respondents (94.35% and 91.28%) had visual acuity of 6/5- 6/18 in the better eye and second eye respectively. Most respondents with eye problem (65.1%) did not seek eye treatment. All the respondents had normal colour vision. Most of the respondents (70.2%) did not have ocular morbidity. Few respondents 37 (19%) had history of involvement in RTA while driving and the remaining 158 (81%) had not been involved in RTA. The visual acuity in the better and second eye did not significantly affect involvement in road traffic accident with a p-value of 0.94 and 0.61 respectively.