title: Diabetes prevalence and awareness in adults in the Balçova district in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and awareness of diabetes and to evaluate associated factors in a population aged 30 and over in the Balçova district of Izmir, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study data from 12,915 people who participated in Balçova's Heart Project were evaluated. Diabetes was defined using fasting blood glucose levels according to ADA criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diabetes prevalence was 13.0% and 87.7% of the patients were aware of the condition. Diabetes prevalence was 1.32 times higher in males, 1.31 times higher in individuals with primary school or lower level of education, 1.37 times higher in individuals who perceived their economic status as bad, 1.20 times higher in those who had quit smoking, 2.84 times higher in individuals who had chronic disease, 1.78 times higher in overweight or obese individuals, and 1.65 times higher in individuals with high blood pressure. Diabetes awareness was 1.78 times higher in women, 1.94 times higher in individuals with social security, 2.62 times higher in individuals with a chronic disease, and 3.55 times higher in individuals who perceived their economic level as poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes prevention policies and programs that aim for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of complications in patients should be developed and implemented for the public.
authors.forename: Kevser Tari
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Selçuk
authors.forename: Melih Kaan
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sözmen
authors.forename: Belgin Unal
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Toğrul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D012923:Social Class; D012943:Social Security; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology