[Influence of awareness on the behaviors of Chinese adults with diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of awareness on the behaviors of Chinese adults with diabetes mellitus, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing relevant policies and strategies in the prevention and control of diabetes.

METHODS

Data from the 2013 China Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance were used, covering 297 surveillance counties (districts). The variables involved in this cross-sectional study included: the prevalence of diabetes, the awareness situation, demographic characteristics, behaviors, and other information. The study used descriptive analysis to analyze diabetes status and chi-square test to determine the difference in the distribution of behaviors between patients who were aware of their disease and those who were not. Logistic analysis was performed to examine the influence of diabetes awareness on patients' behaviors with adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 175 670 subjects were involved. The prevalence of self-reported diabetes in China in 2013 was 3.9%, while the awareness rate was 38.6%. The percentage of current smokers or current drinkers among the patients who were aware of their disease (20.2%, 25.0%) was less than that among the patients who were not aware (25.8%, 35.0%). The proportion of those who often exercised among the patients who were aware of their disease (83.4%) was higher than that among the patients who were not aware (79.0%). There was slightly higher proportion of the subjects who had insufficient intake of vegetables and fruits or over intake of red meat among the patients who were aware of their disease (49.4%, 28.0%) than that among the patients who were not aware (48.4%, 26.1%). After controlling urban and rural areas, regions, age, gender, nationality, marital status, educational level, occupation, and income factors, the possibility of current smoking (OR=0.79) or drinking (OR=0.58) among the patients who were aware of their disease was lower than among those who were not; the possibility of more than 150-minute physical activity per week (OR=1.30) among the patients who were aware of their disease was higher than among those who were not.

CONCLUSION

The awareness rate of diabetes in China still remains low. Kno-wing whether they have diabetes or not has an effect on individual choice of behaviors, including smoking, drinking and physical activities. Therefore, health education and health examination for diabetes should be further expanded with wide cooperation from all relevant departments, thus forming an integrated environment involving individuals, health systems and socioeconomic policies to prevent and control diabetes.