Epidemiology of Self-Reported Diabetes Mellitus in the State of MaranhAo, Northeastern Brazil: Results of the National Health Survey, 2013

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) in adults from the State of MaranhAo, Northeastern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1774 individuals aged 18 years participating in the National Health Survey of 2013 in MaranhAo. The adults were selected by probabilistic sampling and interviewed face-to-face by in-home visits. The Poisson regression model was used to verify the factors associated with DM. Results: The prevalence of DM was 5.39% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.73-7.73). After adjustment of the regression model for age, gender, smoking, education, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia, DM was statistically associated with age 60 years, female sex, low educational level, and self-report hypertension. Conclusion: The present study found the prevalence of self-reported DM similar to that estimated in the general population of Brazil. Public policies for prevention and control should intensify control, especially in the subgroups most vulnerable to DM.