title: [Diabetes mellitus: factors associated with prevalence in the elderly, control measures and practices, and health services utilization in São Paulo, Brazil].
abstract: This study analyzes factors associated with diabetes prevalence according to demographic and socioeconomic variables, health status, and lifestyle among 872 elderly living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in addition to health services utilization and control measures and practices. Reported diabetes prevalence among the elderly was 17.9%, a higher rate than in the adult population. The highest diabetes rates in elderly individuals were associated with: bad or very bad self-rated health, never having consumed alcohol or having stopped drinking, widowhood, and at least one hospitalization in the previous 12 months, independently of age. Among the elderly, 69.9% routinely sought out health services due to their diabetes, and 96.1% received treatment at the services they turned to. There is a lack of information, knowledge, and use of control measures for diabetes among the elderly. Health policies focusing on professional training and family orientation are needed to promote lifestyle changes among the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. telma.busch@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Telma de Almeida Busch
authors.initials: Tde A
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldbaum
authors.forename: Neuber José
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Segri
authors.forename: Marilisa Berti de Azevedo
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Chester Luiz Galvão
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cesar
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carandina
authors.forename: Maria Cecília Goi Porto
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Alves
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors