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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes in Older Vietnam-Born Australians

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Abstract

Vietnamese immigrants in Australia represent the second largest Vietnamese community in developed countries, following the United States. However, limited information is available about prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the relative roles of socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and Vietnamese ethnicity per se in this population. This study investigated the prevalence of T2D and its risk factors in older Vietnam-born Australians, in comparison to native-born Australians. The study used baseline questionnaire data from 787 Vietnam- and 196,866 Australia-born individuals (≥45 years), who participated in the 45 and Up Study, which is Australia’s largest population-based cohort study. Country of birth specific prevalence of T2D and its risk factors were age-standardised to the 2006 Australian population (≥45 years). Multivariable logistic regression models were built for each group to assess the relationship between T2D and socio-demographic characteristics, family history of diabetes, lifestyle factors and health status. Compared to Australia-born counterparts, Vietnam-born individuals had significantly (p < 0.001) higher age-standardised prevalence of T2D (14.7 vs 7.4 %) and significantly (p < 0.001) lower levels of vegetable consumption (≥5 serves/day, 19.4 vs 33.5 %), physical activity (≥5 sessions/week, 68.7 vs 78.5 %) and overweight and obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2, 21.5 vs 62.7 %). The increased risk of T2D associated with a family history of diabetes for Vietnam-born people [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.14, 95 % CI 4.15–12.28] was almost double that for Australia-born people (OR 3.77, 95 % CI 3.63–3.90). The patterns of association between T2D and other factors were similar between the two groups. The findings suggest a genetic predisposition to T2D in people of Vietnamese ethnicity. Reducing lifestyle risk factors for diabetes and better management of diabetes are priorities for Vietnam-born populations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the men and women participating in the 45 and Up Study. The 45 and Up Study is managed by the Sax Institute in partnership with major partner Cancer Council NSW. Other partners in the 45 and Up Study are: the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NSW Division); beyondblue; the NSW Ministry of Health; Ageing, Disability and Home Care, NSW Department of Family and Community Services; the Australian Red Cross Blood Service; and UnitingCare Ageing.

Ethics Approval

Conduct of the 45 and Up Study was approved by the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee. Ethics approval for the current study was granted by the University of Western Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee. This work was conducted without any financial or other support or assistance from any tobacco company or individual or entity acting on behalf of the tobacco industry. This work has not been previously published nor is it being considered for publication elsewhere.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Building 3, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Duong Thuy Tran, Louisa R. Jorm, Hilary Bambrick & Sanja Lujic

  2. The Sax Institute, PO Box K617, Haymarket, NSW, 1240, Australia

    Louisa R. Jorm

  3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia

    Maree Johnson

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  1. Duong Thuy Tran
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Correspondence to Duong Thuy Tran.

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Tran, D.T., Jorm, L.R., Johnson, M. et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes in Older Vietnam-Born Australians. J Community Health 39, 99–107 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9745-2

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