Aim: To investigate the ethnic differences in knowledge on own diabetes disease and self management in Assyrian/Syrian-born and Swedishborn patients in Swedish town. 

Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted at four Primary Health Care Centers in the Swedish town of Sodertalje. A total of 304 persons (167 ethnic Assyrians/Syrians and 137 ethnic Swedes) participated. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyse the association between low knowledge level, ethnicity and all other explanatory variables.

Results: The total prevalence of low knowledge on own disease was 35.6%, with significant ethnic differences, 53.2% among Assyrian/Syrians vs. 17.8% among Swedish-born. In the final model, regardless of adjustment for explanatory variables, the odds ratio (OR) for low knowledge in Assyrian Syrian-born patients was more than seven times higher than in Swedish-born patients, OR 7.4 (95% CI 3.83–14.50). For those on dietary treatment only, the adjusted OR for having low knowledge compared to those on pharmacological treatment was 1.9 (95% CI 1.00–3.83), while patients   diagnosed after 60 years of age  showed lower 
odds ratio for poor knowledge, adjusted OR 0.34. 

Conclusion: Assyrian/Syrians showed significantly lower knowledge on diabetes, which could affect self-care and metabolic control, with increased risk of complications and lower quality of life.