What Socioeconomic Factors Explain Type 2 Diabetes Prevalence?

Abstract

The study aims to identify the influence of socioeconomic factors on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes for individuals aged 27 and older in the Republic of Belarus. We analyze data from the Diabetes Survey conducted by the Endocrinology Medical Center in Minsk and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus from 2011 to 2015. The association between socioeconomic factors and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is examined using logistic regression with sequential adjustments for clinical and behavioral predictors. Our findings indicate that individuals with lower income and educational levels are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes than those in higher income and education groups. Moreover, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes decreases as income and educational level go up. Furthermore, this association remains significant even after further adjusting for various behavioral and clinical factors. In addition, we confirm that type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among overweight / obese, physically inactive and older individuals. These findings suggest that strategies for preventive diabetes programs should be focused on socioeconomic environment rather than on individual risky behavior only.