1989-90 National Health Survey: prevalence of self-reported diabetes in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes in a representative population sample in Australia; to identify major differences in prevalence by State and Territory and by geographic origin; and to compare trends in prevalence over time.


METHODS
and setting: Analysis of data collected by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in the 1989-90 National Health Survey. The sampling frame (22,202 households and 54,241 people) ensured adequate representation from each State and Territory in Australia.


RESULTS
Prevalences of self-reported diabetes/high blood sugar levels were 1.9% for males and 2.0% for females over all ages; 3.1% for men and 2.9% for women aged over 25 years; and 8.1% for men and 6.9% for women aged over 65 years. Interstate differences of borderline significance were found and will require validation in larger samples. Age-standardised prevalences were higher in subjects born in Southern Europe and lower in those born in Western Europe compared with Australian-born subjects. Prevalences were high in households where the language spoken was other than English. The frequency of self-reported diabetes appears to be rising.


CONCLUSIONS
Australia has comparatively low total prevalences of self-reported diabetes/high blood sugar levels. High prevalences subsections exist, including the elderly and certain migrant groups
Welborn
T A
TA
Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth.
Knuiman
M W
MW
Bartholomew
H C
HC
Whittall
D E
DE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D007223:Infant; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D015995:Prevalence