Relation of type 2 diabetes mellitus with gender, education, and marital status in an Iranian urban population

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Objectives: This study was performed to assess the relationship of diabetes with gender, education, and marital status in an Iranian urban population. Methods: A total of 892 men and women aged 30-85 were recruited using a cluster-stratified sampling method from an urban population. Using a questionnaire, demographical data including gender, education, and marital status were collected. A blood sample after fasting for at least eight hours was collected from each subject. Associations of type 2 diabetes mellitus and studied variables were tested for significance. Results: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.6%; 11.1% in men and 12.1% in women with no significant difference between them. Diabetes mellitus was most prevalent in the oldest age (age more than 60 years, 22.9%) and low education groups (17.9%, P < 0.001). Marital status was not significantly related to diabetes mellitus (P= 0.37). Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is related to education within the Iranian population. Thus preventive strategies should be based on the affective factors.