ABSTRACT
Aims: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus through self-reports and measurement of fasting glucose level in a representative sample of Albanian adults residing in Tirana. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in urban Tirana during April- July 2012. Methods: A population-based sample of 795 individuals aged ≥18 years was included in this study (60% women; overall mean age: 50.3±18.7 years; response rate: 79.5%). Finger stick method was used to measure fasting glucose level in all participants. Furthermore, weight and height were measured. Data on socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors were also collected. General linear model was used to assess the association of mean glucose level with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and anthropometric indices. Results: The overall prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 11.8%. In multivariableadjusted analysis, among non-diabetic individuals, age and body mass index were significantly and positively associated with mean fasting glucose levels. Conversely, among diabetic individuals, no statistically significant differences of mean glucose levels were observed upon multivariable-adjustment. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this representative sample of primary health care users in Tirana was higher than previous reports from Albania. The management and control of diabetes is not adequate in the Albanian primary health care system, exposing individuals to a high risk for future diabetic complications.
ABSTRACT
Aims: Health literacy among older people has received little attention in transitional countries of Southeast Europe. Our aim was to assess the level and socioeconomic correlates of health literacy among older people in Kosovo, a post-war country in the Western Balkans. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Kosovo, between January-March 2011. Methods: This nationwide survey, conducted in Kosovo in 2011, included 1753 individuals aged ≥65 years (886 men, 867 women; mean age 73.4±6.3 years; response rate: 77%). Participants were asked to assess, on a scale from 1 to 5, their level of difficulty with regard to access, understanding, appraisal, and application of health information. Subscale scores and an overall health literacy score were calculated for each participant. Information on socioeconomic characteristics was also collected. Results: Subscale scores of health literacy were strongly correlated with each-other (range of Spearman’s rho: 0.8-0.9). Mean values of the overall health literacy scores were significantly higher in men, urban residents, married individuals, the highly educated, and the better off participants. Conclusions: This may be the first report from the Western Balkans addressing health literacy in a population-based sample. Future studies in Kosovo and other settings in the region should provide further insight into the magnitude and socioeconomic determinants of health literacy which is an under-researched topic in countries of Southeast Europe.