OBJECTIVETo explore the status of diabetes prevention awareness among Chinese residents in order to provide the scientific basis for making intervention strategy.

METHODSA sample of 18-60 years old residents in six provinces was investigated from March to April in 2013.

RESULTSTotally, 17.8% of respondents answered all questions correctly about the awareness of diabetes. As for "Diabetes is a common chronic disease" got highest recognition rate (86.2%), and "Diabetes can be cured" got the lowest rate, 48.3%. 50.6% of respondents answered all questions correctly about the diabetes symptoms; and "thirsty, drink more water" got the highest recognition rate (75.3%). 17.8% of respondents answered all questions correctly about the complications of diabetes; and "causes of diabetes ketoacidosis" got the lowest rate of 31.6%. 12.3% of respondents answered all questions correctly about the diabetes high-risk group; the correct recognition rate for "family history" was the highest (75.1%); and the "macrosomia" got the lowest rate of 20.4%. 74.2% of respondents answered all questions correctly about the diabetes preventive measure;the correct cognition rate of a reasonable diet was the highest (92.0%), and the weight control was the lowest (81.5%). In addition, there are significant differences of knowledge score between different areas and genders. City residents' knowledge score about diabetes related views (6.2 ± 1.8), typical symptoms (2.9 ± 1.4), complication (4.1 ± 2.3), high-risk groups (3.4 ± 1.7), prevention measures (3.7 ± 0.9) were higher than rural residents (respectively 5.2 ± 2.2, 2.7 ± 1.5, 3.2 ± 2.3, 2.9 ± 1.8, 3.3 ± 1.2) (P < 0.05). Female residents' knowledge score about diabetes related views (5.7 ± 2), typical symptoms (2.9 ± 1.4), complication (3.8 ± 2.3), high-risk groups (3.1 ± 1.8), prevention measures (3.5 ± 1) were higher than male residents (respectively 5.5 ± 2.1, 2.7 ± 1.5, 3.5 ± 2.4, 3.1 ± 1.8, 3.4 ± 1.2, 18.1 ± 6.8) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe public is lack of diabetes prevention awareness, and city residents' knowledge score is higher than rural residents', females are higher than males.