Turkish Journal of Public Health

Öz

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevelance and awareness of diabetes and to evaluate associated factors in a population aged 45 to74 in Bigadic.

Method: The study group included 509 subjects selected from 4.425 individuals aged 45-74 years using the cluster sampling method. The dependent variables of the study were the existence and awareness of diabetes. The proportion of people with a history of diabetes relative to the total number of individuals with diabetes gives the diabetes awareness ratio. Diabetes was defined according to American diabets Association (ADA) diagnosis criteria for the year 2010 and is based on random capillary blood glucose and HbA1c levels. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations with independent variables. The study was financially supported by Dokuz Eylül University Scientific Research Projects (Project no: 201194).

Results: The prevelance of diabetes was 21.0% and 66.3% of individuals were aware of their condition. Diabetes prevelance was associated with age, sex, marital status, education, employment, family type, comorbidity, BMI and blood pressure (p<0.05). Awareness of diabetes was higher in the over 60 age group (p=0.039) than in the younger group. In a logistic regression analyses the prevelance of diabetes was higher in those aged 60 and above [OR=1.86, 95% CI:1.11-3.15], who had comorbidity [OR=2.65, 95% CI:1.54-4.56], who were overweight [OR=4.56, 95% CI:2.11-9.58] or obese [OR=2.64, 95% CI:1.51-4.63].

Conclusion: In order to prevent diabetes in adults primary preventative interventions leading to increased physical activity and decreased obesity in the population should be considered. Regular monitoring programs should be developed as a part of primary health care for diabetes patients to prevent complications. Health education and screening programs should be used to increase the level of awareness in people with diabetes.