A survey of diabetes-related knowledge level and life style among elderly residents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai

Objective To evaluate the levels of diabetes-related knowledge and life style among residents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai in order to provide evidence for prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus in community. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted randomly in 612 elderly residents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, T-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze diabetes-related knowledge level, life style and serum glucose. Results We found that 50.2% (2 505/4 986) residents knew the diabetic knowledge. The level of diabetes-related knowledge was related to education level (r=0.354,P0.001) and age (r=-0.18,P0.001), but not related with gender (r=0.019,P=0.634), diabetes history (r=0.035,P=0.391), fasting serum glucose (r=0.01,P=0.8) or 2-hour postprandial serum glucose (r=0.057,P=0.173). Residents with smoking and drinking accounted for 12.9% (79/612) and 15.2% (93/612). Residents with mild, moderate and severe physical activity at leisure accounted for 59.8% (366/612), 22.4% (137/612) and 0.3% (2/612), respectively. Among the residents with diabetes, 60.7% (68/112) adhered to diet control and 45.5% (51/112) took exercise regularly. The 2-hour postprandial serum glucose was significantly decreased in the patient with continuous diet control and exercise (P=0.039 and 0.001). Conclusion It is very important to intensify diabetic health education, guide for good life style and improve the compliance of diet control and physical exercise for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus in community.