Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi1, Gowokani Chijere Chirwa2,3, Mohammad Habibullah Pulok4. 1. Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 2. Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Economics, University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Zomba, Malawi. 4. Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes in the Middle East, is a major public health concern of the 21st century. However, there is a paucity of literature to understand and measure socio-economic inequalities in diabetes prevalence in this region, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: This study investigated socio-economic inequalities in diabetes prevalence in the KSA using data from the Saudi Arabia Health Interview Survey. Concentration curve, concentration index, and multivariate logistic regression were used to measure and examine income- and education-related inequalities in diabetes prevalence. RESULTS: The results showed significant socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of diabetes through analysing a nationally representative sample of the KSA population. Diabetes prevalence was concentrated among the poor and among people with less education. In addition, education-related inequality was higher than income-related inequality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are important for policymakers to combat both the increasing prevalence of and socio-economic inequalities in diabetes. The government should promote health education programmes and increase the level of public awareness of diabetes management, especially among the lower educated population in the KSA.
BACKGROUND: Rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes in the Middle East, is a major public health concern of the 21st century. However, there is a paucity of literature to understand and measure socio-economic inequalities in diabetes prevalence in this region, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: This study investigated socio-economic inequalities in diabetes prevalence in the KSA using data from the Saudi Arabia Health Interview Survey. Concentration curve, concentration index, and multivariate logistic regression were used to measure and examine income- and education-related inequalities in diabetes prevalence. RESULTS: The results showed significant socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of diabetes through analysing a nationally representative sample of the KSA population. Diabetes prevalence was concentrated among the poor and among people with less education. In addition, education-related inequality was higher than income-related inequality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study are important for policymakers to combat both the increasing prevalence of and socio-economic inequalities in diabetes. The government should promote health education programmes and increase the level of public awareness of diabetes management, especially among the lower educated population in the KSA.
Authors: Carlos Rojas-Roque; Akram Hernández-Vásquez; Diego Azañedo; Guido Bendezu-Quispe Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-22 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Ameerah M N Qattan; Micheal Kofi Boachie; Mustapha Immurana; Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-25 Impact factor: 3.390