Diabetes in urban Colombia: A cross-sectional study of its prevalence, lifestyle habits, and sources of health information.

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of diabetes in urban Colombia and its associated socioeconomic correlates, associated nutrition and lifestyle habits, and sources of health information.

Methods: This was a probabilistically sampled, population-based survey undertaken in five major cities of Colombia between November and December 2022. Diabetes was defined as a prior diagnosis, use of antidiabetic medications, or random blood glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL. Data on lifestyle habits and preferred sources of health information were inquired with reference to the last year.

Results: We studied 1786 adults (55 % women). Diabetes prevalence was 12.9 % (13.6 % in women, 12.0 % in men), increasing linearly with age and adiposity. There was a 12-percent-point difference in diabetes prevalence between extreme categories of education among women, and a 7-percent-point difference between extreme categories of socioeconomic level among men. People with diabetes reported more frequently than people without it to have adopted almost all the inquired healthy lifestyle habits, but the difference was always < 10 %. Unexpectedly, the most frequently reported source of health information was healthcare professionals.

Conclusions: Diabetes is on the rise in urban Colombia, especially among socially disadvantaged groups. Education and empowerment of healthcare professionals may be a conduct to impact diabetes in Colombia and similar countries.