Open AccessAwareness of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia in M alaysia
Author(s) -
Yen Steven T.,
Tan Andrew K.G.,
Mustapha Feisul I.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of diabetes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.949
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1753-0407
pISSN - 1753-0393
DOI - 10.1111/1753-0407.12502
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , family history , obesity , logistic regression , ethnic group , disease , odds ratio , psychological intervention , gerontology , environmental health , demography , endocrinology , psychiatry , sociology , anthropology
Background Policy interventions for cardiovascular diseases require individual awareness of ailments. Such awareness is also key to individuals making changes to their lifestyle and dietary habits. The present study investigated the association of sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors with the awareness and prevalence of three ailments: diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Methods Data were obtained from the M alaysia N on‐ C ommunicable D isease S urveillance‐1. Logistic regressions were estimated and odds ratios of exposure variables calculated. Results Diabetes awareness was associated with work hours, age, family history of illnesses, and ethnicity. Individuals with diminished hypertension awareness included those who were younger, without family history of illnesses, not obese, working more hours, and not adhering to a healthy diet. Low awareness of hypercholesterolemia was associated with younger age, lower education level, living in rural areas, female gender, no family history of illnesses, non‐obesity, and minority ethnic background. Prevalence generally had the same pattern of association with the exposure variables. Conclusions Various sociodemographic and health and lifestyle characteristics were associated with diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia awareness in M alaysia, albeit with varying outcomes. Therefore, programs focusing on lifestyle improvements should be targeted at high‐risk subgroups, such as individuals working longer hours and young adults, who are less likely to be aware of their health risk factors.