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Increased Prevalence of Diabetes in Argentina Is Due to Easier Health Care Access Rather than to an Actual Increase in Prevalence

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  • Adolfo Rubinstein
  • Laura Gutierrez
  • Andrea Beratarrechea
  • Vilma E Irazola

Abstract

Introduction: According to the Argentine National Risk Factor Survey (ANRFS), between 2005 and 2009, self-reported Diabetes increased in Argentina from 8.4% to 9.6%, accompanied by a raise in the prevalence of obesity and low physical activity. In the same period, it also increased blood sugar checks from 69.3% to 75.7%. Since surveillance data in Argentina rely on self-reports, the estimated prevalence of diabetes may be affected by an increase in the proportion of subjects with access to preventive services. We evaluated the independent effect of a recent blood sugar check, on the increase in self-reported diagnoses of diabetes between 2005 and 2009. Materials and Methods: A secondary analysis of data from the 2005 and 2009 ANRFS was performed. Diabetes was defined as having been diagnosed Diabetes or high blood sugar by a health professional, obesity was calculated as BMI≥30 kg/m2, based on self-reported height and weight and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. We used logistic regression models to explore the relationship between prevalence of self-reported diabetes and recent blood sugar check as the main predictor. Results: The prevalence of diabetes rose from 8.4% to 9.6%; obesity from 14.5% to 18% and low physical activity from 46.2% to 55%, between 2005 and 2009. Among those who recently checked their blood sugar no differences were found in the prevalence of diabetes: 13% in 2005 vs. 13.2% in 2009. Findings of the multivariable analysis showed that obesity and low physical activity were significantly associated with self reported diabetes in the adjusted model (OR = 1.80 for obesity, and OR = 1.12 for low physical activity but the strongest predictor was recent blood sugar check (OR = 4.75). Discussion: An increased prevalence of self-reported diabetes between 2005 and 2009 might indicate an improvement in the access to preventive services rather than a positive increase in the prevalence of diabetes.

Suggested Citation

  • Adolfo Rubinstein & Laura Gutierrez & Andrea Beratarrechea & Vilma E Irazola, 2014. "Increased Prevalence of Diabetes in Argentina Is Due to Easier Health Care Access Rather than to an Actual Increase in Prevalence," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(4), pages 1-5, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0092245
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092245
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    1. Fleischer, N.L. & Diez Roux, A.V. & Alazraqui, M. & Spinelli, H. & De Maio, F., 2011. "Socioeconomic gradients in chronic disease risk factors in middle-income countries: Evidence of effect modification by urbanicity in Argentina," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(2), pages 294-301.
    2. Leonardo Gasparini & Walter Sosa, 2001. "Assessing Aggregate Welfare: Growth and Inequality in Argentina," Latin American Journal of Economics-formerly Cuadernos de Economía, Instituto de Economía. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile., vol. 38(113), pages 49-71.
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    1. David E. V. Olivares & Frank R. V. Chambi & Evelyn M. M. Chañi & Winston J. Craig & Sandaly O. S. Pacheco & Fabio J. Pacheco, 2017. "Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity in a Primary Care Context of Central Argentina: A Web-Based Interactive and Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-22, March.
    2. Carlos Rojas-Roque & Akram Hernández-Vásquez & Diego Azañedo & Guido Bendezu-Quispe, 2022. "Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Prevalence of Diabetes in Argentina: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study in Urban Women and Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.

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