Perceived risk for Type 2 diabetes in participants in a stepwise population-screening programme

Aims To determine the risk perception of Type 2 diabetes in participants in a stepwise population‐screening programme. Methods This study was carried out within the framework of a stepwise Type 2 diabetes population screening in the general (age 50–75 years) Dutch population. Main outcome measures were perceived risk of having diabetes and perceived seriousness of diabetes, based on a self‐report questionnaire, completed before being informed about the diagnosis (Type 2 diabetes yes/no) of the screening procedure. Among 7736 participants, the risk perception of 217 screening‐detected participants was compared with 4435 with a low‐risk profile for undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. Results Of 7736 participants, 43.5% could not give an estimate of their risk of having diabetes, 31.2% estimated their risk to be 0% and 25.3% estimated their risk to be 10% or higher. Compared with 4435 participants with an objectively low risk profile, 217 screening‐detected participants were more likely to answer ‘I do not know’ (52.4% vs. 40.1%, P