Preventive-care knowledge and practices among persons with diabetes mellitus -- North Carolina, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1994-1995.

Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of lower-extremity amputation, end-stage renal disease, and blindness among persons aged 18-65 years in the United States. Diabetes preventive care resulting in improved self-care, better glycemic control, and regular foot and eye examinations can substantially reduce the complications of diabetes. Assessment of the level of preventive care among persons with diabetes can assist in targeting public health efforts to reduce complications. To estimate the prevalence of diabetes and the levels of preventive-care knowledge and practices among persons with diabetes in North Carolina, the North Carolina Office of Epidemiology and the state Diabetes Control Program (DCP), in collaboration with CDC, analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for 1994-1995. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicate a low level of diabetes preventive-care knowledge and practices among persons with diabetes in North Carolina.