Background: The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing in Western countries. We investigated the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on the prevalence of self-reported diabetes, and its differences between genders.
Methods: Data for this investigation were derived from the second cycle of the National Population Health Survey conducted in 1996-1997. A total of 39 021 subjects (17 730 males and 21 291 females) >/=40 years of age who answered the question about diabetes were included in the present analysis. Educational attainment and income adequacy were used as indicators of SES. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed for men and women separately to assess the effects of SES on the prevalence of diabetes after adjustment for age, area of residence, body mass index, and physical activity.
Results: and The prevalence of diabetes was 6.6% among men and 5.5% among women. The
Conclusions: prevalence increased with decreasing income category and educational attainment in both genders. The odds ratios for income and education in relation to diabetes after adjustment remained significant in women, but attained unity in men. Canadian women >/=40 years of age of low SES have a relatively high prevalence of diabetes, independent of age, area of residence, obesity, and physical inactivity.