Diabetes awareness and diabetes risk reduction behaviors among attendance of primary healthcare centers

AimsThe aims of this study were to assess level of awareness about diabetes and the level of adoption of diabetes risk behaviors among adult attending primary healthcare centers.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a self-administrated questionnaire. In addition to demographic information, the questionnaire contained questions on diabetes awareness related to diabetes definition, symptoms, risk factors, complications and management of diabetes as well as questions on diabetes risk reduction behaviors and sources of information on diabetes. The data was analyzed with independent t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and ANOVA test.ResultsA total of 541 participants aged ≥18 years were recruited. The mean score of diabetes awareness was 27.5/40 [SD = 5.7]. The participants performed best in symptoms section with a mean score of 6.3/8 [SD = 1.6], and worst in the risk factors section with a mean score of 3.6/6 (SD = 1.4). With respect to diabetes risk reduction behaviors the results showed that the highest mean score was for fat reduction 2.0/4 [SD = 0.8]; and the lowest mean score was for weight control or losing 1.7/4 [SD = 0.8].ConclusionsThe current study demonstrated that substantial numbers of adult Jordanian lack the sufficient awareness about diabetes to prevent and cope with the increasing prevalence of diabetes in Jordan. Also, it demonstrated that adoption of diabetes risk reduction behaviors was suboptimal. Raising public awareness of diabetes and diabetes risk reduction behaviors through population-based programs and mass media should be planned and implemented.