National diabetes prevention program (DEHKO): awareness and self-reported lifestyle changes in Finnish middle-aged population.
OBJECTIVE
The national development programme for the prevention and care of diabetes was carried out in Finland during 2000-2010. One of the programme goals was to raise awareness of diabetes and its risk factors in the whole population through various activities, e.g. media campaigns and health fares. In addition, a targeted implementation project on the prevention of type 2 diabetes, FIN-D2D, was carried out in selected districts during 2003-2008. The aim of this analysis was to examine the changes in overall awareness of the programme and its association with self-reported lifestyle changes within the adult population during the FIN-D2D project period in the FIN-D2D area compared with the area not participating in the FIN-D2D (the control area).


METHODS
Health behaviour and health among the Finnish Adult Population -postal survey.


METHODS
The structured questionnaire mailed to a random population sample included questions on participants' sociodemographic background, medical history, health habits, and recent lifestyle changes. Awareness of the national diabetes programme was also enquired. Data (n = 10 831) from the 2004-2008 postal surveys were used for this investigation.


RESULTS
In the FIN-D2D area, 25% (347/1384) of men and 48% (797/1674) of women reported being aware of the programme. In the control area, the proportions were 20% (702/3551) and 36% (1514/4222), respectively. The overall awareness increased among both genders and in all areas during the project period, but the level of awareness was consistently higher in the FIN-D2D area. Female gender and higher age were associated with increasing awareness of the programme in both areas. Self-reported lifestyle changes were more common among women, but associated with the level of awareness of the programme more often among men than women.


CONCLUSIONS
The awareness of diabetes and its risk factors increased among men and women in both implementation and control areas during the FIN-D2D project period. The activities of the implementation project may at least partly explain the differences in lifestyle changes between areas, especially among men. The results suggest that health promotion campaigns increase the population awareness about the prevention of chronic diseases and as a result, especially men may be prompted to make beneficial lifestyle changes.
National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: katja.wikstrom@thl.fi.
K
K
Wikström
National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland.
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J
Lindström
National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland; Danube University Krems, Doktor-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria; King Abdulaziz University, Abdullah Sulayman, Jeddah 22254, Saudi Arabia.
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J
Tuomilehto
Pirkanmaa Hospital District, PO Box 2000, FI-33521 Tampere, Finland.
T E
TE
Saaristo
National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Lifestyle and Participation, PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland.
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S
Helakorpi
Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Huhtalantie 53, 60220 Seinäjoki, Finland.
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E
Korpi-Hyövälti
Pirkanmaa Hospital District, PO Box 2000, FI-33521 Tampere, Finland.
H
H
Oksa
Central Finland Central Hospital, Unit of Family Practice, Keskussairaalantie 19, 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland; Kuopio University Hospital, Department of Medicine, PO Box 1777, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Northern Savo Hospital District, Kuopio University Hospital, PO Box 100, 70029 KYS, Finland.
M
M
Vanhala
University of Oulu, Institute of Health Sciences (General Practice), PO Box 5000, 90014, Finland; Oulu University Hospital, Unit of General Practice, 90029 OYS, Finland; Health Centre of Oulu, PO Box 8, 90015 Oulu, Finland.
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S
Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
University of Eastern Finland, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Food and Health Research Centre, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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M
Uusitupa
National Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, PO Box 30, 00271 Helsinki, Finland.
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M
Peltonen
D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Awareness of diabetes; Implementation; Lifestyle changes; Prevention; Type 2 diabetes