Abstract
Objective: To analyze the prevalence and socioeconomic determinants of diabetes mellitus in adults in the state of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, in 2015/2016. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with a sample of 1019 adults, based on the IV State Health and Nutrition Survey. A dependent variable was defined considering diabetics as those with fasting glucose ≥126mg/dl or who would refer or be diagnosed during the interview. Possible associations between diabetes and socioeconomic determinants were analyzed using Poisson multivariate regression, considering as significant those with p <0.05. Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 10.8%, being higher among the people with the lowest schooling (19%), retired (23%), who did not receive the family allowance (14.1%) and who presented destination of leave (15,9%) and water supply (15.8%) offered irregularly. In the multivariate model as socioeconomic variables associated with diabetes were: schooling, occupation, family allowance and water supply. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of diabetes in groups with more precarious living conditions and not beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família, reinforcing the urgency of structuring social policies for coping with chronic conditions.