The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors in the Brazilian adult population: evidence from a population-based survey.

Objective:: To estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus (DM) and its associated factors among the Brazilian adult population.

Methods:: The prevalence of DM was assessed in the Survey on Social Dimensions of Inequalities, a national survey with macro-regions representativeness carried out in 2008. Data were collected by a personal face-to-face interview with 12,423 individuals of both sexes, aged over 20 years. The χ2 test at 5.0% was performed in order to identify associated factors, and logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios.

Results:: The prevalence of DM in Brazil was 7.5%. After adjusting for potential confounders, diabetes remained associated with age (≥ 40 years), education (< 8 years of study), marital status (non-married), obesity, sedentary lifestyle, comorbidity with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, as well as the demand for health services.

Conclusion:: Results indicate a high prevalence of DM and its associated preventable factors in Brazil. Thus, they highlight the need for a behavioral change as a strategy for prevention and control of diabetes and its complications.