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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 6/2014

01-12-2014 | Original Article

Status of the diabetes epidemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2013

Authors: Charbel El Bcheraoui, Mohammed Basulaiman, Marwa Tuffaha, Farah Daoud, Margaret Robinson, Sara Jaber, Sarah Mikhitarian, Ziad A. Memish, Mohammad Al Saeedi, Mohammad A. AlMazroa, Ali H. Mokdad

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

Objectives

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), current data on diabetes are lacking, and a rise of the epidemic is feared, given the epidemiologic transition in the country. To inform public health authorities on the current status of the diabetes epidemic, we analyzed data from the Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS).

Methods

Saudi Health Interview Survey is a cross-sectional national multistage survey of individuals aged 15 years or older. A total of 10,735 participants completed a health questionnaire and were invited to the local health clinics for biomedical exams.

Results

1,745,532 (13.4 %) Saudis aged 15 years or older have diabetes. Among those, 57.8, 20.2, 16.6, and 5.4 % are undiagnosed, treated uncontrolled, treated controlled, and untreated, respectively. Males, older individuals, and those who were previously diagnosed with hypertension or hypercholesterolemia were more likely to be diabetic.

Conclusions

Our findings call for increased awareness of pre-diabetes, diabetes, and undiagnosed diabetes in KSA. Combatting diabetes and other non-communicable diseases should be the task of the Ministry of Health and other ministries as well, to offer a comprehensive socio-cultural approach to fighting this epidemic.
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Metadata
Title
Status of the diabetes epidemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2013
Authors
Charbel El Bcheraoui
Mohammed Basulaiman
Marwa Tuffaha
Farah Daoud
Margaret Robinson
Sara Jaber
Sarah Mikhitarian
Ziad A. Memish
Mohammad Al Saeedi
Mohammad A. AlMazroa
Ali H. Mokdad
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0612-4

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