RESEARCH ARTICLE
Socio-economic inequalities in diabetes prevalence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi,
Gowokani Chijere Chirwa,
Mohammad Habibullah Pulok,
Corresponding Author
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi
Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi, Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGowokani Chijere Chirwa
Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
Department of Economics, University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Zomba, Malawi
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Habibullah Pulok
Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorMohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi,
Gowokani Chijere Chirwa,
Mohammad Habibullah Pulok,
Corresponding Author
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi
Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence
Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi, Department of Health Services and Hospital Administration, Faculty of Economics and Administration, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorGowokani Chijere Chirwa
Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, United Kingdom
Department of Economics, University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Zomba, Malawi
Search for more papers by this authorMohammad Habibullah Pulok
Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia Health Authority and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information: Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), Grant/Award Number: PH-2-120-1440
Summary
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.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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