Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Participation in Diabetes Education among Community-Dwelling Adults with Diabetes

PURPOSE: This study investigated the sociodemographic factors associated with participation in diabetes self-management education (DSME) among community-dwelling adults with diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 23400 people aged ≥30 years who were diagnosed with diabetes from the nationwide 2016 Korea Community Health Survey were analyzed. The relationship between sociodemographic factors and participation in DSME was examined by logistic regression analysis. The study sample was classified according to the type of institution providing DSME: hospitals/medical clinics (HMCs) and/or public health institutions (PHIs). RESULTS: Of the total sample population with diabetes, 27.2% had attended DSME programs, including 21.9% at HMCs, 4.0% at PHIs, and 1.3% at both types of institutions. As age increased and educational level and monthly household income decreased, the odds ratios (ORs) of participation in DSME decreased in a fully adjusted model. Respondents living in rural areas had lower ORs for attending DSME compared to those living in urban areas [OR, 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80–0.91]. Service/sales workers and mechanical/manual workers had lower ORs for attending DSME (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71–0.99; and OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69–0.94, respectively) compared to professional/managerial workers. However, in the subgroup of participants receiving education at PHIs, the likelihood of participation in DSME increased as age increased, and respondents living in rural areas had higher ORs compared to those living in urban areas (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.51–1.98). CONCLUSION: Customized DSME programs targeting socioeconomically vulnerable groups, including residential region and reimbursement of DSME by public insurance, are needed to resolve the inequalities in participation in DSME.